San Antonio Smoke Alarms Save Lives

3/2/2015 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Braun Station in San Antonio encourages you to change your smoke detector batteries as we "spring" forward with the time change

Smoke alarms play a vital role in saving lives, and when properly installed, can reduce the risk of fire injury in half. 

The National Fire Protection Association recommends smoke alarms be installed in every bedroom, outside all sleeping quarters and on every level of the house.  Business owners should consult the local Fire Marshall to ensure specific building fire codes and smoke detector requirements are met.

Smoke alarms work best when paired with a fire escape plan.  A plan allows your family, employees or clients to escape quickly and safely in an emergency situation.

Review the following tips regarding smoke detector installation and maintenance.  For more on emergency preparedness, contact your local SERVPRO of Braun Station Professionals at (210) 267-2159.

• Install smoke alarms on every level of the home, including the basement
• Smoke alarms should be installed away from the kitchen to prevent false alarms.  Generally, they should be at least 10 feet from a cooking appliance.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button.
• Replace batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year.  We like to recommend doing this to coincide with the changing of the clocks, which is happening March 8, 2015.  If an alarm "chirps," the battery is low and should be replaced right away.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

SMOKE ALARM FACTS

• Three out of five fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or when the alarms are not working.
• Smoke alarm failures usually result from missing, disconnected, or dead batteries.
• More than one-third (37 percent) of home fire deaths results from fires in which no smoke alarms are present.
• The risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms.

We at SERVPRO of Braun Station hope that these tips will help keep you and your family safe.  Remember we are alway here to help if fire or smoke does try to harm your home or business.  We are a phone call away at (210) 267-2159.