A working smoke alarm can make the difference between surviving a house fire and perishing in one. Smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by 54 percent, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Roseville Fire Department urges residents to make sure their smoke alarms are working as part of National Fire Prevention Week, which is October 6-12. This year’s theme is: “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!”
“Smoke alarms save lives. That’s why it’s so important to keep your home’s smoke detectors in good working order,” said Roseville Assistant Fire Chief Neil Sjostrom.
Roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
Home fires killed more than 2,700 people in the United States in 2022, according to the National Fire Protection Association and fire departments in the United States responded to 360,000 home fires.
Roseville Fire Department offers these key smoke alarm safety tips and guidelines:
- Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of
the home. - Make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
- Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.