Stay Safe, Peachtree Corners: 'Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives'

FIRE SAFETY TO BE THE FOCUS FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER AND YEAR-ROUND

Working smoke alarms can make a life-saving difference in a fire. That’s the message behind this year’s National Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month!”

Along with firefighters and safety advocates nationwide, Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services is joining forces with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) during Fire Prevention Week, October 5-11, to remind local residents about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home and testing them monthly.

According to the latest NFPA research, working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire in half. Meanwhile, almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

“In a fire, seconds count,” said Gwinnett Fire Marshal, Assistant Chief Stephen Hrustich. “Roughly half of home fire deaths result from fires reported at night between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep. Home smoke alarms can alert people to a fire before it spreads, giving everyone enough time to get out.”

This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign includes the following smoke alarm messages:

· Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.

· Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. This way, when one sounds, they all do.

· Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.

· Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or sooner if they don’t respond properly.

· Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarm and understands what to do when they hear it.

The Gwinnett County Department of Fire and Emergency Services will be hosting activities throughout the entire month of October to share fire and life safety tips with members of the community. Firefighters and Fire Safety Educators are scheduled throughout the community with fire truck displays, mobile fire safety house visits, school presentations and business and civic programs. The goal is to increase awareness of fire hazards and instill proper behaviors to prevent or survive a fire. The main focus will be “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives!”

Smoke alarms should be placed on every level of the home and in each of the bedrooms. The battery in traditional smoke alarms should be changed twice a year. Long-life (10-year) battery operated smoke alarms are good for the life of the alarm. All smoke alarms, whether traditional battery or long-life battery, should be replaced after 10-years of service.

The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners, will present a resolution/proclamation to Fire Chief Casey Snyder, at their regular meeting on October 7th at 2p.m. in the Auditorium at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center. The resolution/proclamation will recognize October 5-11, 2014 as National Fire Prevention Week, and will designate all of October as Fire Prevention Month in Gwinnett County. The department traditionally spends the month focusing on key fire prevention topics and encourages proper community risk reduction and life safety practices year-round.

Families are encouraged to develop a home fire escape plan and practice fire drills regularly. Through these educational, family-oriented activities, residents can learn more about the importance of working smoke alarms and testing them monthly.

To find out more about Fire Prevention Week/Month programs and activities, please contact the Gwinnett Fire Community Risk Reduction Division at 678.518.4845 or e-mail fireprograms@gwinnettcounty.com. To learn more about smoke alarms and the “Working Smoke Alarms Saves Lives” campaign, visit NFPA’s Web site atwww.firepreventionweek.org.

(Photo: Gwinnett PIO)