Smoke Detectors
Recent statistics suggest that at any given moment as many as twenty percent of the home smoke detectors in America are not working.
Battery-operated, single station smoke detectors became available to the American consumer in about 1970. In 1997 it was estimated that ninety-four percent of all homes in America had them. By 2004 the home fire deaths in America had been reduced by one-half of what it had been in the 1960's! While it is recognized that other factors contributed to the reduction of fire deaths, it is believed that the development and use of household smoke detectors played a large part in reducing those deaths. In the 1970's, a professionally installed fire detection system for a typical three-bedroom home cost about $1,000. Today, with the advent of inexpensive, battery-operated owner-installed detectors, the same home can be protected for less than $50.00!
A smoke detector is merely one tool in protecting yourself and your family from the danger of uncontrolled fire. As with any tool it is important that you test and maintain them. We recommend that you:
- Test every smoke detector in your home once a month
- Keep them clean by gently vacuuming them occasionally
- Change the batteries twice a year
- Replace them if they are more than ten years old
Other tools you can utilize to protect yourself from fire are:
- Develop and practice a home escape plan
- Purchase and maintain at least one multi-purpose fire extinguisher and learn how to use it
- Keep matches and lighters away from children and teach them that fire is a tool and not a toy
- Use candles wisely and cautiously
Current fire and building codes require smoke detectors to be installed outside each sleeping area and inside each bedroom of all new residential construction. However, many existing homes were not required to have them in the bedrooms at the time they were constructed. We recommend that if you do not already have smoke detectors in your home's bedrooms you should install them. If you need assistance installing them, or if you have any questions regarding home smoke detectors please call us at 817.685.1600.
Your friends at the Euless Fire Department.