Newton Fire Department Promotes Fire Prevention Week: “Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work for You!”

As Fire Prevention Week approaches, the Newton Fire Department urges residents to make sure their smoke alarms are working. The theme for Fire Prevention Week, October 6-12, 2024, is "Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!™"

The Newton Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®)-the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week™ (FPW™) for over 100 years-to promote this year's FPW campaign. This initiative aims to educate everyone about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home.

According to NFPA, smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by more than half (54 percent). Meanwhile, roughly three out of five fire deaths occur in homes with either no smoke alarms or non-working smoke alarms.

"Smoke alarms serve as the first line of defense in a home fire, but they need to be working to protect people," said Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA. "This year's Fire Prevention Week campaign helps better educate the public about simple but critical steps they can take to ensure their homes have smoke alarms in all the needed locations and that they're working properly."

The Newton Fire Department encourages all residents to actively support the 2024 FPW theme, "Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!" Working smoke alarms can make a life-saving difference in a home fire, giving people the time to get out safely. This year's Fire Prevention Week campaign is a great opportunity to remind everyone about these messages and to act on them.

The Newton Fire Department offers these key smoke alarm safety tips and guidelines:

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of the home.
• Ensure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

For more information about Fire Prevention Week and smoke alarms, visit fpw.org.