How many of you Cincinnati / Northern Kentuckians knew this week was/is fire prevention week? Did you know fire prevention week was created to commemorate the tragic Great Chicago Fire that took place in 1871 and left 100,000 homeless, more than 250 people dead, and over 17,400 structures burned?
According to the National Fire Prevention Association working fire alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire in half. Almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarm or no working smoke alarms. This is why it is crucial to have smoke alarms and test them monthly. Below are a few more tips to keep you and your family safe and prevent fires:
- Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom and on every level of your home
- Make sure all your smoke alarms are interconnected
- Use the test button to test smoke alarms and carbon dioxide detectors monthly
- Replace batteries in your smoke alarms at least yearly and replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or sooner if they don’t work properly.
- Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarms and have a family escape plan and practice it
You can find other great resources and tips like a home fire safety checklist on The National Safety Council website and a smoke alarm safety quiz on The National Fire Protection Association website. Both of these webpages are filled with fire safety and prevention tips for you and your family.