ECFR Reminds Residents to Test Their Smoke Detectors During Fire Prevention Week

Oct. 3 marks the beginning of Fire Prevention Week, which takes place this year between Oct. 3-9. Escambia County Fire and Life Specialist Ray Melton reminds residents to test their smoke detectors monthly and offers advice on how you can properly test your smoke detector, what the different sounds of your smoke detector mean and how to properly replace a battery in your smoke detector. 

"Residents should have a working smoke alarm and know the types of alarm sounds," said Melton. "A steady sound from a smoke alarm is 'smoke' and a rapid sound is carbon monoxide. A 'chirping' sound indicates a bad battery."

Escambia County Fire Rescue created a video to demonstrate the different sounds a smoke detector makes, how to test your smoke detector and how to change out a battery in your smoke detector.

Since 1922, the National Fire Prevention Association has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week. To learn more about Fire Prevention Week and get tips on how to prevent and prepare for home fires, visit firepreventionweek.org.

Escambia County Fire Rescue is available to provide and install smoke detectors free of charge for residents. According to NFPA, a working smoke detector cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire in half. For information about obtaining a home smoke detector, call 850-595-HERO (4376) or request a smoke detector online through Ask MyEscambia. City of Pensacola residents may call 850-436-5200 for smoke detector installation assistance.