“Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety” is the theme for this year’s National Fire Safety campaign. In a fire, mere seconds can mean the difference between a safe escape and a tragedy. October 3^rd– 9^th   is National Fire Safety week making it a great time to schedule a family talk with all family members about the sounds of a smoke alarm, create a fire escape plan and have a family fire drill.

Smoke alarms sense smoke well before you can, alerting you to danger. In the event of fire, you may have as little as 2 minutes to escape to safety, which is why smoke alarms need to be in every bedroom, outside of sleeping areas ( like a hallway), and on each level of your home. You should not put smoke alarms in your kitchen or bathrooms. If you haven’t already installed smoke detectors in your home, now is a great time to get it done.

The new battery operated smoke detectors are worry free and the battery last for 10 years eliminating the incessant chirping from a low battery and the hunt through the house to determine which smoke alarm has the low battery. Always choose an alarm that is listed with a recognized testing laboratory, meaning it has met certain standards for protection.

What is your alarm telling you?

SMOKE ALARMS • A continued set of three loud beeps—beep, beep, beep—means smoke or fire. Get out, call 9-1-1, and stay out. • A single “chirp” every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be changed. • All smoke alarms must be replaced after 10 years. • Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and the unit must be replace

If someone in your home is deaf or hard of hearing there are smoke alarms and alert devices the alert people with strobe lights that flash.