Operation Smoke Alarm Prevents Fires, Saves Lives

By  //  November 12, 2013

38% of home fire deaths caused by smoke alarm failures

On Friday, firefighters from Station 1 visited the Palm Bay Estates; a mobile home community of 55 and older residents. (Palm Bay Fire Rescue image)
On Friday, firefighters from Station 1 visited the Palm Bay Estates; a mobile home community of 55 and older residents. (Palm Bay Fire Rescue image)

BREVARD COUNTY • PALM BAY, FLORIDA – Palm Bay firefighters are going through area neighborhoods and helping residents check the status of their home smoke alarms. 

Palm Bay firefighters are going through area neighborhoods and helping residents check the status of their home smoke alarms. (Palm Bay Fire Rescue)
Palm Bay firefighters are going through area neighborhoods and helping residents check the status of their home smoke alarms. (Palm Bay Fire Rescue)

It is part of a month-long effort to reach high-risk areas such as mobile home communities to make sure the residents have working smoke alarms in order to prevent destructive fires that can potentially injure or kill.

On Friday, firefighters from Station 1 visited the Palm Bay Estates; a mobile home community of 55 and older residents.

During the visit, firefighters replaced the batteries in nearly 50 smoke alarms that were not properly working.

Energizer® Inc. donated the batteries to the fire department.

“Working smoke alarms save lives,” said Battalion Chief Gene Harrell.

GeneHarrell-180
Battalion Chief Gene Harrell

“Our mission is not only to educate the public about this simple fact, but to offer assistance where we can and visiting our higher risk communities is where we will start.” – Battalion Chief Gene Harrell 

“It’s so important to change the batteries out at least once a year and make sure they are working properly.  It can mean the difference between life and death when it comes to a house fire.”

According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) in 2005-2009, the latest year statistics are available, smoke alarms were present in almost three-quarters (72%) of reported home fires and sounded in half (51%) of the home fires reported to U.S. fire departments.

38% OF HOME FIRE DEATHS CAUSED BY SMOKE ALARM FAILURES

More than one-third (38%) of home fire deaths were caused by fires in properties in which smoke alarms were present but failed to operate.  “One is too many,” Harrell added.

“Our mission is not only to educate the public about this simple fact, but to offer assistance where we can and visiting our higher risk communities is where we will start.”