Fire Prevention Week Advice: Don’t Just Keep an Eye Out for Flames, Keep Your Ears Attuned, Too

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woman installing smoke alarm
Image via Red Cross NorCalCoastal at Creative Commons.
The safety potential of a smoke alarm goes far beyond its expected sound during a fire.

Fire Prevention Week, October 3-9, 2021, offers wise reminders to involve the senses in ongoing safety measures: watch for flames; be attuned for the smell of smoke; touch doors for heat before opening. But experts advise not to discount auditory input as well, according to an item in The Reporter Online.

To that latter point, the theme of this year’s Fire Prevention Week is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety.”

Firefighters offer the following information on smoke alarm noises:

  • A continuous set of three loud beeps means smoke or fire. Get out, call 9-1-1, and stay out
  • A single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds means a detector’s 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 must be replaced
  • Ensure that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities

Firefighters are hosting a series of events to promote fire prevention in several Bucks County communities. A full list, as well as other Fire Prevention Week tips, is at The Reporter Online.

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