Smoke Detectors, Don’t Stay Home Without One!

Since the 1970s, smoke detectors have reduced deaths and injuries from fire by nearly 50% in the United States. Although a 50% reduction is great, we can’t stop there. The United States still has one of the highest fire death rates of any industrialized country. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) estimates that almost 900 lives could be saved each year in the United States if every home had working smoke alarms. Over the years, the fire service has spent much time and effort on smoke detector awareness, maintenance, and giveaways.

The good news is that in 2004, one survey reported that 96% of all homes had at least one smoke alarm. Despite that fact, almost half of the home fires that occurred between 2000-2004 either did not have smoke alarms or did not have functioning smoke alarms. The fires that occurred in these homes without functioning detectors represented 65% of all home fire deaths. Another grim statistic is that twenty percent of homes tested had malfunctioning detectors. May I suggest smoke detector testing, and battery replacement if necessary, as a nice weekend project. 

We are fortunate that many of the homes in Coconut Creek are relatively modern and were equipped with hard wired electric, battery back up smoke detectors. If your home falls under this category, you must change the battery twice a year, and replace the detector when it reaches ten years old. If you live in an older home that is equipped with a hard wired electric detector without battery back up, then please consider replacing the detector with a new hard wired, battery back up detector. The hard wired electric, battery back up smoke alarms can be purchased for under twenty dollars. If your home has only battery operated smoke detectors, I would strongly recommend having an electrician install an electric hard wired detector with battery back up. Please keep in mind that building permits are required for this installation.  If you are unable to upgrade battery detectors, please make sure to change the batteries twice a year. We teach our school children to change smoke detectors batteries when we change our clocks for daylight saving time. Additionally, it is important to remember to test all detectors at least monthly.

If you are planning on installing additional detectors, or replacing detectors, please consider upgrading to meet the following location guidelines. Current codes require that smoke detectors be installed on each floor, outside of each sleeping area, and in all bedrooms. Multiple detectors are required to be interconnected, so that when one detector senses smoke, all detectors will ring, providing adequate audibility throughout the home. Placement of smoke detectors on the ceiling and walls should comply with manufacturer’s recommendations.

Smoke detectors save lives, don’t stay home without one! Should you have any questions about smoke detectors, please feel free to contact your Coconut Creek Fire Administrative offices at 954 973-6706.