Smoke alarms: Make them work for you

  • Published
  • By Wright-Patterson Fire Department
  • Fire Department

 

Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio - The WPAFB Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week, October 6-12. 

The theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week is “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!” The campaign is focused on educating everyone about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home.

The WPAFB Fire Department encourages all residents to actively support the 2024 FPW theme, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!” “Working smoke alarms can make a life-saving difference in a home fire, giving people the time to get out safely,” said Prevention Chief, Mike Roberts. “This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign is a great way to remind everyone about these messages and to act on them.”

According to NFPA, smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by more than half. Meanwhile, roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

“Smoke alarms serve as the first line of defense in a home fire, but they need to be working in order to protect people,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA. “This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign helps better educate the public about simple but critical steps they can take to make sure their homes have smoke alarms in all the needed locations and that they’re working properly.”


“This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign helps better educate the public about simple but critical steps they can take to make sure their homes have smoke alarms in all the needed locations and that they’re working properly.”
Lorraine Carli, Vice President of outreach and advocacy at NFPA

WPAFB Fire Department offers these key smoke alarm safety tips and guidelines:

  • Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of the home.
  • Make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
  • Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
  • Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

The WPAFB Fire Department is hosting a series of events in support of this year’s FPW campaign, including vists to Base daycares and CDCs all week from Oct 6-11th, as well as:

  • Sept. 27, 3-4 p.m., teen event on Chapel Lane at The Prairies
  • Oct 7-11, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m and 1 to 3:30 p.m. daily, the WPAFB Fire Department will host open house tours at Stations 1 (5180 Skeel Avenue, WPAFB, Oh 45433) and 3 (3126 Hobson Way, WPAFB, Oh 45433). Please call (937) 257-4075 24hrs in advance to schedule your tour.
  • Oct 8, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Fire Prevention Week display with handouts, outside the Base Exchange Food Court (2202 Birch St. Kittyhawk Center, Bldg. 1250, WPAFB, Oh.).

To find out more about FPW programs and activities at WPAFB, please contact the WPAFB Fire Prevention office at (937) 257-4075. For more information about Fire Prevention Week and smoke alarms, visit fpw.org.