Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives – Fire Prevention Week Oct 5 – 11

Story Behind Fire Prevention Week

Some of you may have heard or read about the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The Chicago Fire of 1871, also called the Great Chicago Fire, burned from October 8 to October 10, 1871, and destroyed thousands of buildings, killed an estimated 300 people and caused an estimated $200 million in damages.

Legend has it that a cow kicked over a lantern in a barn and started the fire …

For nine decades, since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls. Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record. The week helps keep the public informed about the importance of fire prevention.

Fire Prevention Week 2014

This years Fire Prevention Week theme is “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month”. So naturally we are testing and installing new smoke alarms this week. Did you know that many people don’t test their smoke alarms as often as they should?

When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. You need working smoke alarms to give you time to get out.

I know that in the time that I have been a Kidde Ambassador, I have taken a more a proactive stance on fire safety. From preparing and sharing a fire escape plan with my family to learning how to properly use a fire extinguisher. #FireSafety is a huge topic in our household, and we test our smoke alarms every month when we pay our mortgage.

Smoke Alarms Are Key to Fire Safety

Here a few tips and tricks I have learned and shared with friends and family from the National Fire Protection Association.

• Install smoke alarms inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. Install alarms in the basement.
• Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
• It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds they all sound.
• Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
• There are two kinds of alarms. Ionization smoke alarms are quicker to warn about flaming fires. Photoelectric alarms are quicker to warn about smoldering fires. It is best to use both types of alarms in the home.
• A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the stove.
• People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

I hope you will take the time this week to talk with your family about fire safety; and the importance of having working smoke alarms. Be sure that you have alarms in the proper places in your home, and that they work by testing them monthly. Your family’s safety may count on it.

Get Social with Kidde

You may even have a Kidde products in your home and not even know it. Take moment and stop by to visit them on Twitter , Facebook, Instagram and Google+ for tips, tricks and fun stuff.

#firepreventionweek