"Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work for You" During 2024 Fire Prevention Week

Escambia County Fire Rescue invites residents to observe National Fire Prevention Week 2024 from Oct. 6-12. This year's theme is "Smoke Alarms: Make Them WORK for You!" Residents are encouraged to have functioning smoke alarms in their homes, including knowing how to test smoke alarms and when to replace non-functioning smoke alarms.

This year's campaign strives to educate everyone about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home. 

Three Calls-to-Action

1. INSTALL: Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area like a hallway, and on each level of the home.
2. TEST: Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
3. REPLACE: Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or stop responding when tested.

Smoke Alarms Save Lives!

According to the National Fire Prevention Association:

• Roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
• More than one-third (38 percent) of home fire deaths result from fires in which no smoke alarms are present.
• The risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms.

"Escambia County Fire Rescue encourages all residents to make sure they have functioning smoke alarms in their homes, businesses or other building structures," Fire Chief Adam Harrison said. "We frequently respond to fires where the residents were able to safely evacuate and avoid danger because they were alerted by a smoke alarm. Unfortunately, we have also been to several fires where smoke alarms were not present. We are committed to ensuring all residents have functioning smoke alarms and will provide and install alarms in your home or business at no cost."

For information about obtaining a home smoke alarm, visit the Escambia County Fire Rescue website, call 850-595-HERO (4376) or request a smoke alarm online through the Ask MyEscambia app. City of Pensacola residents may call 850-436-5200 for smoke alarm installation assistance. 

View Escambia County Fire Rescue's smoke alarm alarm how-to video here.

Since 1922, the National Fire Prevention Association has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week. To learn more about Fire Prevention Week and tips on preventing and preparing for home fires, visit nfpa.org/fpw

If you are a hard-of-hearing Escambia County resident, visit the NFPA website for helpful information on preparing your home in the event of a fire.

Join ECFR at the Library!

Escambia County Fire Rescue is partnering with West Florida Public Libraries throughout Fire Prevention Week 2024 for a special storytime. ECFR will be located at the following libraries:

• Bellview Library (6425 Mobile Highway) - Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 10:30 a.m.
• Southwest Library (12248 Gulf Beach Highway) - Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 10:30 a.m.
• Century Library (7991 N. Century Blvd.) - Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 10:30 a.m.