Working smoke alarms is the focal point of Fire Prevention Week.
“Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!” is the 2024 campaign theme. Locally, the Shelby County Health Department and the Shelbyville Fire Department are working together to distribute smoke detectors to those in need.
The Shelbyville Fire Department is hosting an Open House Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to close out Fire Prevention Week. Through a grant, the health department has 100 smoke detectors that will be distributed by fire department staff during the event to those that do not have working alarms.
“You need to make sure you are testing (smoke detectors) once a month and replacing batteries every six months as recommended,” said Scott Robbins, the fire department’s Public Education Officer. “They do have a lifespan on them. Ten years is usually the lifespan of a detector.”
During Saturday’s Open House at the downtown fire station, 40 W. Broadway, fire trucks and fire gear will be available look at. There will be some kids activities as well.
Robbins will be visible in the schools the rest of this month spreading the message of fire safety.
“The biggest thing along with smoke detectors is making sure everyone has some sort of plan knowing what to do when the smoke alarm goes off at home,” said Robbins. “Making sure everyone has a plan as far as getting out and having a meeting plan outside. Everyone does fire drills at school but when it comes time that (the alarm) is going off at home, having a plan isn’t a top priority at home versus what it is at school. It is even more imperative to have a fire safety plan at home.”
Cooler temperatures in the evenings and early mornings sparks more attention for fire department personnel who have to deal with outdoor fires, indoor heating elements and even furnaces that have sat dormant through the summer months.
“Once furnaces start kicking on, there is always dust build up on the heating elements so we usually wind up with some fire alarms from that,” said Robbins. “Inspections helps prevent that.”
Fire is not always easily detectable at first. That’s why smoke alarms are crucial to safety at home.
“People have to understand when there is a fire, a fire is not real loud and will wake you up,” said Jay Tennell, Deputy Chief of Fire Operations for the Shelbyville Fire Department. “You put a fire in a house it’s going to fill up and unlivable environment. To be asleep and get notice that there is smoke in a residence is a big deal.”
Not only will the fire department provide residents with a working smoke detector, it can provide contact information with a Red Cross volunteer who will install it correctly.
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