It is a great time to think about fire safety. “Working smoke alarms can give you the extra seconds needed to get out safely”. “Make sure you’re alerted as soon as possible, make sure those alarms are working”. Governor Cuomo has signed legislation that will phase out the sales of traditional smoke detectors with removable batteries in favor of newer tamper-proof detectors with sealed lithium batteries, which are created to last a full decade. If that alarm chirps, replace only the battery. “And the fastest way to know that it’s on fire is with a smoke alarm”.
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According to the National Fire Protection Association, 60 percent of home fire deaths occur due to defective smoke alarms.
More than 6,300 smoke alarms have been installed in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties since the program began.
Carbon monoxide alarms must be installed outside all sleeping areas if your home has a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace or attached garage.
Follow up-keep instructions as dictated by the manufacturer. Volunteers were dispatched along with members of the Urbana Fire Department to the Rolling Hills and Harvest Square mobile home parks to install smoke detectors and teach residents about fire safety.
Seniors who need help testing, maintaining or replacing smoke alarms should contact their local fire department or senior center for assistance.
Brickey added, “Any room that you have in your home, you need to have two ways out”. Make sure routes are clear, and that the doors and windows on the route can be opened properly. And he advises having your family practice that escape plan twice in the year – once in daylight and once a night. Agree on a meeting place outside where everyone can meet after exiting the home.
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The department also accepts donations for the smoke detector fund. Checks should be made payable to the Salem Fire Department Smoke Detector Fund, located at the Salem Fire Department, 260 S. Ellsworth Ave., Salem, Ohio 44460.
