Public Service Announcement from the Fire Department: Smoke Detectors and Fire Escape Plans Help Save Lives

The Providence Fire Department is reminding all residents, homeowners and businesses of the importance of installing and testing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your buildings. In the event of a fire, every second counts - having an escape plan is another way of preventing death or injury.

On May 17th, a fire started in the basement of 85 Fairmount Avenue in Providence where occupants were able to exit the building safely and alert their neighbors because of an audible warning signal from their smoke detector.

"For most people, fire is a low frequency, high risk event. Unfortunately, this is not the case for firefighters. Most fatal fires that take lives or cause injury occur in homes that didn't have a working smoke alarm," said Assistant Fire Chief Michael Dillon. "Within the last three decades, these devices have played an important and life-saving role in reducing the nation's fire death rate by fifty percent. You can't underestimate the importance of practicing basic fire prevention as such as testing alarms monthly and replacing batteries at least once a year."

Some helpful tips about smoke detectors from the U.S. Fire Administration:

Install smoke alarms in key areas of your home

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement. Many fatal fires begin late at night or early in the morning, so the U.S. Fire Administration recommends installing smoke alarms both inside and outside of sleeping areas.
• Since smoke and many deadly gases rise, installing your smoke alarms at the proper level will provide you with the earliest warning possible. Always follow the manufacturer's installation instructions.

Never disable a smoke alarm while cooking
A smoke alarm is just doing its job when it sounds while you're cooking or taking a shower with lots of steam. If a smoke alarm sounds while you're cooking or taking a shower with lots of steam, do not remove the battery. Disabling a smoke alarm or removing the battery can be a deadly mistake. You should:

• Open a window or door and press the "hush" button,
• Wave a towel at the alarm to clear the air, or
• Move the entire alarm several feet away from the location.

It's important to remember that smoke detectors must be maintained. A smoke alarm with a dead or missing battery is the same as having no smoke alarm at all. So, depending on how your smoke alarm is powered, please follow maintenance procedures according to manufacturer's instructions.

Always be prepared: Make an escape plan and practice it
In addition, fire officials are also urging citizens to develop an escape plan for your building with your family or co-habitants. Your plan should take these tips into consideration:

• The escape plan should have at least two ways of exiting the building. If the primary way is blocked by fire or smoke, you will need a second way out. A secondary route might be a window onto a neighboring roof or a collapsible ladder for escape from upper story windows.
• Make sure that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly, and that security bars can be properly opened.
• When a fire occurs, do not waste any time saving property. Take the safest exit route, but if you must escape through smoke, remember to crawl low, under the smoke and keep your mouth covered. The smoke contains toxic gases, which can disorient you or, at worst, overcome you. Never open doors that are hot to the touch.
• Designate a meeting place outside, far enough from the fire, and take attendance.
• Once out, stay out. Do not reenter the building.
• Call 911 and give the exact address of the fire. Notify the arriving firefighters if anyone is still inside and their location in the building.
• Practice the plan

For further information about the Fire Department's smoke and carbon monoxide detector distribution and inspection program, click here.