Chief Christopher Maguy and the Dighton Fire Department are urging residents to “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety” to help protect their loved ones during Fire Prevention Week, which is being recognized this year from Oct. 3-9.
Fire Prevention Week is organized by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and has been recognized for over 90 years. The goal of Fire Prevention Week is to educate the public about simple but important ways they can keep themselves and those they live with safe.
This year’s theme of “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety” focuses on beeps, chirps and other noises coming from your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and how knowing what they mean could save your life.
“Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are some of the best first lines of defense a homeowner or business owner can have against fires, excess smoke or heightened levels of carbon monoxide,” Chief Maguy said. “In recognition of this year’s theme, we encourage residents to check their alarms’ batteries to ensure they will sound properly.”
The Dighton Fire Department urges everyone to recognize these common sounds to help you and your family better understand smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
- A continuous 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 replaced.
- Make sure your smoke and CO alarms meet the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
The Dighton Fire Department also recommends that smoke and CO alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities. The NFPA offers the following tips for those who are deaf or hard of hearing:
- Purchase smoke and CO alarms that include strobe lights that flash to alert people when the smoke alarm sounds.
- Pillow or bed shakers can also be purchased and linked to smoke and CO alarms to awaken people from their sleep. These work by shaking the pillow or bed when the alarm sounds.
- The use of a low-frequency alarm can also wake a sleeping person with mild to severe hearing loss.
To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in Dighton, please contact the Dighton Fire Department at 508-669-6611.
For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and fire prevention in general, click here.
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