As the time change approaches on Sunday, March 9, 2008, the Baytown Fire Department wants to remind residents to make another change that could save their lives — changing the batteries in their smoke alarms.
Communities nationwide witness tragic home fire deaths each year. An average of three children per day die in home fires and eighty percent of those occur in homes without working smoke alarms. Non-working smoke alarms rob residents of the protective benefits that home fire safety devices were designed to provide.
The most commonly cited cause of non-working smoke alarms: discharged or missing batteries. Changing smoke alarm batteries twice a year is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries. In fact, working smoke alarms nearly cut in half the risk of dying in a home fire. The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. when most families are sleeping.
Smoke alarm maintenance is a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths. Children and senior citizens are most at risk, and a working smoke alarm can give them the extra seconds they need to get out safely. Residents should use the “extra” hour they save from the time change to test smoke alarms by pushing the test button along with planning and practicing escape routes with the entire family. Keeping smoke detectors in good condition is easy. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions. Be sure to replace the batteries twice a year, when we make the change to or from daylight savings time, or as needed. Most models will make a chirping, popping, or beeping sound when the battery is losing its charge. When this sound is heard, install a fresh battery, preferably an alkaline type and keep extras handy. Check the smoke detector every 30 days by pushing the test button. Clean the detector face and grillwork often to remove dust and grease. Never paint a smoke detector, as it will hamper its function. Check the detector if you have been away from home.
Tragically, fire can kill selectively. Those most at risk include:
• Children — Approximately 1,000 children under twenty years old die each year in home fires. Children under age five are at twice the risk of dying in a home fire. Eighty percent of fatal home fire victims who were children were killed in homes without working smoke alarms.
• Seniors — Adults over seventy-five years old are three times more likely to die in home fires than the rest of the population; those over 85 are 4.5 times more likely to die in a home fire. Many seniors are unable to escape quickly.
• Low-Income Households — many low-income families are unable to afford batteries for their smoke alarms. These same households often rely on poorly installed, maintained or misused portable or area heating equipment — a main cause of fatal home fires.
For more information about fire safety, call the Baytown Fire Department at 281-422-2311. The Baytown Fire Department will install smoke detectors FREE of charge and will check and install smoke detector batteries. If you live in the City Baytown and need a smoke detector or need your smoke detector batteries changed call 281-422-2311.