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Although smoke alarms do not
prevent or put out fires, they do improve your chances of
getting out alive!
When properly installed and
maintained, alarms buy you time –
time to escape and time to
notify!!
ONLY WORKING SMOKE ALARMS SAVE
LIVES!
Someday without warning, your
life and the lives of those you love may depend on whether
your smoke alarm is working. This year, start a lifesaving
habit. . .
AFTER TEN YEARS...
REPLACE
YOUR SMOKE ALARMS!
A structure fire occurs every
1.2 minutes
The peak period for home fire
deaths is during the night between 10:00 PM and 6:00
AM.
When most of us are
sleeping.
Working smoke alarms reduce
your chances
of dying in a fire by
50%
Types of Smoke Alarms
Whichever brand of smoke alarms
you decide to install, make sure they are UL-approved and are
replaced after eight to ten years. All UL-approved smoke
alarms, when properly installed and maintained, offer 24-hour
protection for you and your family, whether powered by
batteries or household power.
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Battery-Powered
The new battery-powered smoke alarms
operate on long-life lithium batteries and have a "hush
button". Batteries should be tested weekly and the
entire smoke alarm replaced in about 10
years.
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Hard Wired
Smoke alarms, which operate on
household electrical current have the power they need to
operate as long as there is current in the circuit to
which they are connected. In the event of a power
failure, or fire in the electrical circuit, detectors
will become inoperable. Hard-wired smoke alarms should
have a battery back-up feature in case of power failure.
If yours does not, a battery-powered smoke alarm should
be installed as well. |
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Hearing Impaired
Smoke alarms for the hearing impaired
have a strobe light that, when activated, emits a white
light that is able to awaken most
sleepers. |
Location
Where you place your alarm(s)
depends on the size and layout of your home, and where the
members of your family sleep. Minimum protection requires
smoke alarms outside the sleeping area(s) and on each
additional level of the house, including the basement. For
maximum protection, put a smoke alarm in every bedroom.
Placement
Because smoke rises, smoke
alarms should be mounted high on a wall or ceiling. A
ceiling-mounted unit should be placed as close to the center
of the room as possible, or a minimum of 12 inches from a
wall. Avoid installing alarms near air vents, windows, by the
furnace, cold air return, or close to ceiling-mounted
circulating fans. For a wall-mounted unit, the top of the
alarms should be 6-12 inches from the ceiling.
Maintenance
Weekly Testing
To be UL-approved, the test button on a smoke
alarm must test all components in the unit, including the
smoke sensor. Once a week, test your detector by pushing the
test button. Never use and open flame to test your alarm.
Cleaning
Clean your alarm at least once a year with
the soft brush attachment of your vacuum cleaner.
Replacement
Smoke alarms do "wear out" after 10 years.
Replace your old (anything older than 10 years)
battery-operated or hard-wired smoke alarms with the new
long-life, hush button smoke alarms.
Fire District 2 residents can
call 503-647-9900 and request a smoke alarm inspection.
Firefighters will inspect your home for adequate level of
protection, and that smoke alarms work properly.
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