Hear the beep where you sleep: smoke alarms save lives

Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR) concluded National Fire Protection Week with a clear message: smoke alarms save lives.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, having a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of perishing in a reported fire in half. Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

DFR Fire Inspectors are out in force emphasizing the “Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm—Hear the Beep Where You Sleep!” message campaign to encourage people to have working alarms installed in every bedroom and every sleeping area, on every level of a home.

It is critical that smoke alarms are tested every month; batteries do not last forever. If you are a homeowner living in the city of Dallas and need smoke alarm(s), call 311 to make a request. The alarm will be installed at no charge. Be sure to replace all smoke alarms every 10 years to ensure proper operation and preparedness.

Besides smoke alarms, plan ahead by having a complete escape plan. If a fire breaks out, you may have only minutes to get out once the smoke alarm sounds. While 71 percent of Americans have a home escape plan in case of a fire, only 47 percent of those have actually practiced it. Everyone in the home needs to know what to do and where to go if there is a fire. Make a home escape plan, have a designated outside meeting place and practice the plan with all occupants, especially children.

For more information on the educational programs used by DFR Fire Educators and other useful fire safety tips visit http://dallasfirerescue.com/inspections_investigations_education.html.