FASNY: Bedroom Smoke Detectors Crucial

ALBANY — About half of all fire deaths occur from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., when people are typically asleep, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Families are often awakened by fire and smoke rather than the sound of a smoke detector so have little chance of a safe escape, that organization said in a press release.

That’s why the NFPA and Firemen’s Association of the State of New York are using this year’s Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4 through 10, to push residents to set up smoke alarms in their bedrooms.

This year’s theme is “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep.”

“Smoke alarms are the single most important appliance in your home,” FASNY President Robert McConville said in a press release.

“Though every week is Fire Prevention Week for firefighters, we ask the public to take this time to ensure their homes are properly fitted with working smoke alarms.

“This is the most critical step we all can take to avoid tragedy.”

The NFPA recommends having smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of a home, including the basement.

Its research has also shown that two-thirds of all fire deaths happen in homes without smoke alarms or working smoke alarms, the release said.

FASNY is supporting legislation that would require all smoke alarms sold in the state to be equipped with sealed-in, non-removable batteries that can power the device for at least 10 years, the release said.

This legislation has passed in both the Senate and Assembly and awaits Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s signature.

PRECAUTIONS

Aside from installing smoke alarms throughout their homes, the release said, people should make sure all their smoke alarms are interconnected, so that when one sounds, they all do.

They should also hit the test button on their smoke alarms at least once a month, it said.

Smoke alarms that are 10 years old or older or do not respond properly should be replaced, and everyone in a home should know what to do when a smoke alarm sounds and understand what it means.

SAVES LIVES

Locally, the Clinton County Firefighters Association will be very active this coming week, with its Fire Prevention Safety Trailer parked at local schools and departments.

CCFA Fire Prevention Chair Mark Lafountain said the 32-foot trailer is like three rooms on wheels in which staff can set up “hazards” that kids learn to identify.

Staff can also set off smoke alarms or release fake smoke so kids can learn how to get out.

“We usually end up with a couple kids, kindergarten-aged, who when the fake smoke comes on, the eyes open and the tears start coming,” LaFountain told the Press-Republican.

But the kids are guided through the rooms and reaffirmed in different situations.

“The guide points out if they miss a couple things.”

Like FASNY, LaFountain put in his own plug for fire safety at home, recommending that people change their smoke alarm batteries and test them monthly.

“You can’t save a life if you don’t have it working,” he said.

“Make sure you have everything up and running.”