Some "Alarming" Facts
- Each year fire kills an estimated 4,000 Americans and injures another 30,000.
- About two-thirds of our nation's fire deaths happen in the victim's own home and tend to occur between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. when occupants are more likely to be asleep.
- Most deaths occur from inhaling smoke or poisonous gases, not from the flames.
- A study conducted by Johns Hopkins University, funded by the United States Fire Administration, found that 75 percent of residential fire deaths and 84 percent of residential fire injuries could have been prevented by smoke alarms.
The Two Basic Types of Smoke Alarms
- Ionization alarms - Ionization alarms contain radioactive material that ionizes the air, making an electrical path. When smoke enters, the smoke molecules attach themselves to the ions. The change in electric current flow triggers the alarm. The radioactive material is called americium. It's a radioactive metallic element produced by bombardment of plutonium with high-energy neutrons. The amount is very small and not harmful.
- Photo-electric alarms - These types of alarms contain a light source (usually a bulb) and a photocell, which is activated by light. Light from the bulb reflects off the smoke particles and is directed towards the photocell. The photocell then is activated to trigger the alarm.
Helpful Tips and Information
- If smoke alarms are not already in place, install them outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home in accordance with local codes.
- Smoke alarms cut your chances of dying in a home fire nearly in half.
- If people sleep with doors closed, install smoke alarms inside sleeping areas too. Smoke alarms inside bedrooms will be more likely to wake you.
- Vacuum cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms monthly. Smoke alarms are less sensitive when they are dirty.
- Use the test button to test your smoke alarms once a month. The test feature tests all electronic functions and is safer than testing with a controlled fire (matches, lighters, cigarettes). If necessary, replace batteries immediately. Make sure children know what your smoke alarm sounds like.
- If you have battery-powered smoke alarms, replace batteries at least twice a year. Southlake Fire Services recommends you replace batteries when the time changes from standard daylight savings each spring and again in the fall. "Change your clock, change your batteries," is a positive theme.
- Replace your smoke alarms every 10 years. Smoke alarms become less sensitive over time. This is a joint recommendation by the National Fire Protection Association and the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission.
- Always follow manufacturer instructions regarding installation and maintenance of alarms.
- Plan and practice at least two fire escape routes from each room of your home and identify an outside meeting place.
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