City of Waco, TX
10/07/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/07/2024 12:22
Make Smoke Alarms Work for You This Fire Prevention Week
Make Smoke Alarms Work for You This Fire Prevention Week
Published on October 07, 2024
Most of us don't realize that we have just two minutes to escape a home fire. Roughly two-thirds of residential fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or non-working smoke alarms, primarily due to missing or expired batteries.
This year for Fire Prevention Week, make smoke alarms work for you! If you don't have a smoke alarm or need a new one, the Waco Fire Department can help! Through the Home Fire Campaign, Waco Fire, in partnership with the American Red Cross, offers free smoke alarm installation and fire safety education.
Test Your Smoke Alarm
Remember, a silent smoke alarm can't save you. Make it a habit to test your smoke alarms each month and replace batteries twice a year. A great time to change your batteries is when you adjust your clocks for daylight savings time.
It takes less than five minutes to change the battery. Most smoke alarms use 9-volt batteries. These are readily available at hardware stores, grocery stores, and pharmacies. Always check the manufacturer's instructions or the back of the smoke alarm to make sure you're using the correct battery type.
Don't Be Caught Off Guard
If your smoke alarm sounds, don't panic! It's doing its job. Here's what to do:
- Evacuate immediately. Get everyone out of the house.
- Once outside, stay outside. Don't re-enter the house until firefighters tell you it's safe.
- Call 911 from a safe distance.
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