A leap toward fire safety

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Charles Sahagun
  • 48th Fighter Wing Fire Prevention Office
The 48th Civil Engineer Squadron fire prevention office is urging members of the 48th Fighter Wing and their families to make a potentially life-saving move when they set their clocks forward on the weekend of March 25, 2012, by changing the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates an annual average of 386,300 residential fires resulting in nearly 2,400 deaths, and estimates an annual average of 183 unintentional non-fire CO poisoning deaths associated with consumer products.

Carbon monoxide is sometimes called the "invisible killer," because it is a colorless, odorless and poisonous gas. Because of this, people may not know they are being poisoned.

Carbon monoxide is produced by the incomplete burning of fuel in various products including furnaces, portable generators, fireplaces, cars and charcoal grills. Therefore, it is important to have working CO alarms in the home on each level and outside each sleeping area.

Two-thirds of fire deaths occur in homes where there are no smoke alarms or smoke alarms that aren't working. The CPSC recommends consumers have them installed on every level of their home, both outside and inside each bedroom. It is important to replace batteries at least once a year and to test your alarms every month to make sure they operate properly.

Ann Brown, CPSC chairman, describes smoke detectors in a way that grabs your attention.

"A smoke detector is an early warning system that can get you out of harm's way. But a detector that doesn't work cannot save your life," said Brown.

Fresh batteries allow smoke and CO alarms to save lives by alerting families of a fire or a buildup of deadly carbon monoxide in their homes. If your battery-powered smoke alarm begins to emit a low-power warning, usually a chirping sound, replace the battery with a fresh one immediately. This will ensure that your smoke alarm will continue to provide protection.

For questions or concerns regarding smoke or CO detectors, please contact the Fire Prevention Office at 226-2112 or 226-3053.