When a member of your community is killed in a home fire, it is important to let others know how
they can prevent a similar tragedy. As you continue to report on the fire, the U.S. Fire Administration
encourages you to remind your audience that many fire deaths and injuries are preventable.
More than 4,000 Americans die each year in fires and approximately 20,000 are injured. Many of
them might be alive today if only they had the information they needed to avoid a disaster.
The following life-saving tips could make a big difference to your audience. By incorporating them
in your story now, while the moment is still fresh, you could help save a life.
Fire Safety in the News
Smoke Alarms
Smoke Alarms Life-Saving Tips
Place a smoke alarm on every level of your home and outside bedrooms. If you keep your bedroom doors closed, place a
smoke alarm in each bedroom.
Check smoke alarms monthly by pushing the test button. If you cannot reach the button easily, use a broom handle.
Change the batteries in your alarms at least once a year – perhaps
when you change your clocks for Daylight Savings Time.
Teach children what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do
– leave the building immediately by crawling low under the smoke
– when they hear it sound.
If cooking smoke sets off the alarm, do not disable it. Turn on the
range fan, open a window, or wave a towel near the alarm.
Do not remove the batteries to put in other appliances such as personal
stereos or games.
Smoke alarms wear out over time. Replace yours if it is 10 years
old or more.
Keep smoke alarms clean. Dust and debris can interfere with their
operation. Vacuum over and around your smoke alarm regularly.
Consider installing a 10-year lithium battery-powered smoke alarm,
which is sealed so it cannot be tampered with or opened.
Hard-wired smoke alarms with battery back-ups need to be tested
monthly and batteries replaced yearly.
Did you know?
► Eighty-two percent of all fire deaths occur in
the home.
► Having a working smoke alarm reduces
one’s chances of dying in a fire by nearly
half.
► Nearly one third of the residential fires and
two-fifths of residential fatalities occur in
homes with no smoke alarms.
Following these simple fire safety tips can
increase survival rates dramatically. Please
share them with your audience because
knowledge is the best fire protection.
they can prevent a similar tragedy. As you continue to report on the fire, the U.S. Fire Administration
encourages you to remind your audience that many fire deaths and injuries are preventable.
More than 4,000 Americans die each year in fires and approximately 20,000 are injured. Many of
them might be alive today if only they had the information they needed to avoid a disaster.
The following life-
Fire Safety in the News
Smoke Alarms
Smoke Alarms Life-
smoke alarm in each bedroom.
Check smoke alarms monthly by pushing the test button. If you cannot reach the button easily, use a broom handle.
Change the batteries in your alarms at least once a year – perhaps
when you change your clocks for Daylight Savings Time.
Teach children what the smoke alarm sounds like and what to do
– leave the building immediately by crawling low under the smoke
– when they hear it sound.
If cooking smoke sets off the alarm, do not disable it. Turn on the
range fan, open a window, or wave a towel near the alarm.
Do not remove the batteries to put in other appliances such as personal
stereos or games.
Smoke alarms wear out over time. Replace yours if it is 10 years
old or more.
Keep smoke alarms clean. Dust and debris can interfere with their
operation. Vacuum over and around your smoke alarm regularly.
Consider installing a 10-
Hard-
Did you know?
► Eighty-
► Having a working smoke alarm reduces
one’s chances of dying in a fire by nearly
half.
► Nearly one third of the residential fires and
two-
Following these simple fire safety tips can
increase survival rates dramatically. Please
share them with your audience because
knowledge is the best fire protection.
