Fire Prevention Week Educates Public On Importance of Smoke Detectors

(KNSI) – Personal safety is the key topic of Fire Prevention Week, which runs through Sunday across the country.

This year’s theme is “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!” St. Cloud Fire Marshall Brian Kiffmeyer explains to KNSI News what that means. “It focuses on ensuring that smoke alarms are properly installed and tested and maintained in everybody’s home. And also educating the public on the importance of functioning smoke alarms that save lives, and provide early warning a case of a fire.”

Fire alarms should be set up in every sleeping area, for sure. It varies from there, depending on the size of your house or apartment. Kiffmeyer recommends testing your fire alarms once a month. He says modern versions can be put through their paces with the simple pressing of a button.

While Fire Prevention Week is recognized across the country, Kiffmeyer personally vouches for the success stories locally. In some cases, smoke alarms may be the only reason neighbors and friends are here today. “We’ve seen it here in town. We’ve had multiple instances where fire alarms have saved people’s lives and gotten them out.”

A National Fire Protection Association study shows you are 60% more likely to survive if your home or apartment has a working smoke alarm. When deaths did occur, it was usually the case that the person was standing near where the fire started making them unpreventable. That makes it difficult, or impossible, to escape.

The research was based on data collected by the US Fire Administration.

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