This week marks Fire Prevention Week, and the theme this year is “Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work For You!” As local firefighters remind residents, smoke alarms are crucial for detecting smoke and alerting families to potential fires.

DO YOU HAVE WORKING SMOKE ALARMS IN YOUR HOME?

According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly three out of five residential fire deaths happen in homes lacking functioning smoke alarms.
In fact in 2023, Washington State reported 40 fire fatalities in homes where smoke alarms should have been installed. Alarmingly, 82% of these incidents involved homes where no smoke alarm was present, or it was unclear if one existed.

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ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE DURING FIRE PREVENTION WEEK

The SFMO encourages Yakima residents to get involved in Fire Prevention Week by taking the following actions:

Installation: Ensure smoke alarms are installed in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.
Testing: Schedule a regular reminder to test your alarms monthly, perhaps on the first or last day of each month.
Battery Replacement: Change the batteries in your smoke alarms at least once a year, or as soon as the alarm chirps, indicating low battery power.
Replacement: Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years. Look at the back of the alarm for the manufacture date; if your alarms are over 10 years old, it’s time for a replacement to ensure ongoing protection.
Upgrades: If possible, consider upgrading to interconnected smoke alarms, which provide added safety by alerting all alarms in the home when one detects smoke.

TELL YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY MEMBERS ABOUT SMOKE ALARMS

Residents are encouraged not only to take these precautions but also to share the importance of smoke alarm safety with friends and family. The fire safety message is clear: properly functioning smoke alarms can make the difference between life and death in the event of a fire.

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