provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Sanibel Fire & Rescue District is working with the National Fire Protection Association® to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety!” The campaign kicks off Oct. 3 and concludes Oct. 9. The campaign helps educate everyone about the different sounds that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms make.
Most consumers are unaware that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have a life span. It is recommended to change your smoke alarm every ten years. And your carbon monoxide alarm should be replaced every five to seven years.
Prior to replacement, your alarms may make various sounds and knowing the difference in these sounds could save you, your home, and your family. The National Fire Protection Association wants to share a few safety tips to help you “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety”:
• A continuous set of three loud beeps—beep, beep, beep—means smoke or fire. You should evacuate the structure and call 9-1-1. Remain outside until advised otherwise.
• A single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be changed.
• 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.
For those individuals with hearing impairments who may not be able to hear a conventional smoke alarm there is the Safe Awake device. The Safe Awake works with an existing smoke alarm and when the smoke alarm sounds it activates three indicators, including:
• Vibrating Bed Shaker: This sends an intermittent tactile signal to a bed shaker located between the mattress and bed springs at chest height to ensure sleeping individuals will awake to the emergency.
• Low Frequency Sounder: The alarm aid emits a low frequency (520 Hz), high decibel, square wave sounding alarm. This allows those who are deaf or have varying levels of hearing loss a greater chance at hearing the alarm.
• Flashing Light: Once an individual has awoken to the emergency, they can visually see the bright flashing of the alarm.
“Sanibel Island is home to many visitors and seasonal residents,” said Larry Williams, Fire Marshal at Sanibel Fire and Rescue District. “As we come into season, we want our year-round and seasonal residents to take a minute and check their carbon monoxide and smoke alarms. We never expect the worst but planning for the worst could help save your life.”
For more information about Fire Prevention Week and fire prevention visit www.fpw.org.
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