As the time change approaches on Sunday, November 4, Escambia County Fire Rescue wants to remind residents to make another change that could save their lives — changing the batteries in their smoke alarms.
“Most home fire fatalities occur overnight when most families are sleeping,” says Interim Escambia County Fire Chief Paul Williams. “Changing the batteries in your smoke alarms and performing other maintenance is a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths. Children and senior citizens are most at risk and a working smoke alarm can give the extra seconds needed to get out safely.”
In addition to checking smoke alarms, residents should plan “two ways out” and practice escape routes with the entire family. Families should also prepare a fire safety kit that includes working flashlights and fresh batteries.
Each year more than 3,000 people lose their lives in residential fires. The majority of these deaths are a result of unattended cooking. It is strongly recommended that someone always be present when cooking on top of the stove and that smoke alarms be located properly and in working order. Test the smoke alarm monthly and change the batteries at least every six months.
Communities nationwide witness tragic home fire deaths each year. An average of three children per day die in home fires and 80 percent of those occur in homes without working smoke alarms. Non-working smoke alarms rob residents of the protective benefits home fire safety devices were designed to provide. The most common cause of non-working smoke alarms are dead or missing batteries.
Tragically, fire can kill selectively. Those most at risk include:
- Children under age five are at twice the risk of dying in a home fire. Eighty percent of fatal home fire victims who were children were killed in homes without working smoke alarms.
- Senior citizens over age 75 are three times more likely to die in home fires than the rest of the population; those over 85 are four and a half times more likely to die in a home fire. Many seniors are unable to escape quickly.
- Many low-income families are unable to afford batteries for their smoke alarms. These same households often rely on poorly installed, maintained or misused portable or area heating equipment — a main cause of fatal home fires.
Changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year is the simplest, most effective way to reduce tragic deaths and injuries. In fact, working smoke alarms nearly cut in half the risk of dying in a home fire. Additionally, the International Association of Fire Chiefs recommends replacing smoke alarms every ten years.
For more information about fire safety, Escambia County Fire Rescue at 475-5530 or visit our web site at www.myescambia.com. For information about obtaining a home smoke alarm call 850-595-HERO (4376).
