SUBMITTED By HEALTHY CHEROKEE/INJURY PREVENTION
Your chances of dying in a fire are cut in half if you have a working smoking alarm that is in the proper position. The majority of states require smoke alarms to be used in both new and existing homes, and more than 90 percent of homes have at least one.
Unfortunately, many homes have alarms that are not in working order, and the danger here is clear: Approximately 90 percent of child fire death’s occur in homes without working smoke alarms.
Some homes don’t have enough smoke alarms or don’t have them located properly. Smoke alarms should be on every level of your home and near the bed rooms-they have to be close enough to wake you in case a fire breaks out during the night. They should be installed on the ceiling or on the wall 6 to 12 inches below the ceiling.
To reduce the false alarms caused by steam or burnt toast. It is best to install photoelectric smoke alarm. Photoelectric smoke alarms pick up particles that are in smoke cause by real burning fires.
Healthy Cherokee challenges you to check and test your smoke alarms this week. You can check you smoke alarm by triggering the test button on alarms. Once you check your alarm it is also safe to see if you have it in the proper positions; which are in the middle of the ceiling or 6 to 12 inches below the ceiling if you are planning on placing the smoke alarms on the wall.
If you have any questions or concerns about smoke alarms please contact Healthy Cherokee/ Injury Prevention 497-7460 or The Cherokee Fire Department 497-6584.
