🎥 Free smoke alarms provided to Ellis Co. residents during October

By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Fire Prevention Week is held annually on the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, Oct. 8-10, 1871. There were more than 300 deaths and 100,000 people were left homeless.

The 2016 theme of Fire Prevention Week is Don’t Wait-Check The Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years.

“Smoke alarms need to be replaced every 10 years,” according to city of Hays Firefighter Travis Johannes. “Carbon monoxide alarms should be replaced sooner–every five years.”

Smoke alarms are key to home fire safety. “Sixty percent of home fire deaths occur in houses without working smoke alarms,” Johannes noted. Those statistics come from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), which also reports half of home fire deaths result from fires reported between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep.

Don't Wait - Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years — (Click to enlarge)

Smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms should be tested monthly. “Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms warn you in time to take proper life-saving action. If your smoke or carbon monoxide alarm goes off, get everyone out of the house and call 911,” Johannes said.

He recommends installing smoke alarms in each bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on each level of a home. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless and colorless gas. CO alarms should be placed on each level of a home, especially near sleeping areas.

The Hays Fire Department has free smoke and carbon monoxide alarms who cannot afford them. This month, HFD, as well as the Ellis, Victoria and Ellis County Fire Departments are teaming up with the Western Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross to provide free smoke alarms in the community. HFD will also assist senior citizens or those with limited mobility with installing alarms, checking alarms, or changing alarm batteries.

Second-graders watch the smoke rise to the ceiling of the HFD mobile fire safety house at Roosevelt Elementary School in 2013.

During Fire Prevention Week, Hays firefighters are taking their mobile Fire Safety House to local third-grade classes. The students learn where smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be placed in their homes, what to do if one goes off and how to develop a home fire escape plan with their families.

In 2014, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 367,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 2,745 deaths, 11,825 civilian injuries, and $6.8 billion in direct damage, according to the NFPA.

“Fire Prevention Week is a good time to check your alarms and change the batteries,” Johannes reminded homeowners.

For more information, contact HFD at (785) 628-7330.