Smoke detectors are important to warn of immediate danger especially when sleeping. A good rule of thumb is to change the batteries in your smoke detectors when time changes. If you haven't changed your batteries already, now would be the time to do so and also to test the alarm to insure it is working properly. Three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms. Take some of the following steps to insure that you and your loved ones are safe.
- Put smoke alarms inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area. Put alarms on every level of the home.
- Make sure your smoke alarms work. Your family is not safe if they can’t hear the smoke alarms.
- Test smoke alarms every month and replace 9-volt smoke alarm batteries at least once every year.
- Smoke alarms do not last forever. Get new smoke alarms every 10 years.
- When you hear a smoke alarm, you may have less than 2 minutes to get everyone outside and safe.
- More lives are lost every year to home fires than to all major disasters.
If you, a family member, or a friend needs an alarm, please contact the local American Red Cross at (478) 275-1754, provide your name, address, and best contact number. The American Red Cross is providing FREE smoke alarms. The Laurens County Fire Department will be assisting them with the installation and teaching families to create emergency escape plans. If you have any questions for the Fire Department please feel free to call (478) 277-2911.