Many people don’t think about their smoke alarms unless they burn something on the stove – or, in the worst-case scenario, an actual fire occurs. But as the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, and smoke alarms are a first line of defense against loss of life and property in the home.
“The sooner that you have that detector go off and let you know that there’s a fire, the sooner that you can recognize that there is a fire and get out of your home,” said Union County Fire Chief David Dyer.
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Newer houses are often built with synthetic materials that go up in flames quicker and produce thick, toxic smoke, Dyer said. This smoke moves to the ceiling and gradually settles farther down and can blind and suffocate a person before the flames ever reach them.
Due to the speed of a spreading fire and the risk of being overwhelmed by smoke, Dyer suggests keeping multiple smoke alarms in a home to improve the odds of escape.
The exact number of smoke alarms varies widely based on home size and layout, but the best placement options are always near bedrooms. While sleeping, the senses are dulled, but the loud chirp of a nearby smoke alarm can quickly wake someone, giving them time to get out.
So, how does one make sure their smoke alarms are in working order? It doesn’t hurt to test them out monthly, but residents must stay on top of changing the batteries. Luckily, there’s an easy way to remember at least twice a year.
“In fall and spring, you have a time change. It’s about six months; that’s when you should think about, ‘I need to change my batteries,’” said Dyer, adding that he himself lumps changing the smoke alarm batteries with other seasonal chores in his own home.
That said, not all batteries are built the same. Some smoke alarms, for example, have batteries with a 10-year lifespan. Although some homes have hardwired smoke alarms that connect directly to a house’s electrical system, they usually also have backup batteries that need to be checked.
Along with that, Dyer recommends sitting down to create a fire escape plan, like taking stock of possible exit routes. If a door is blocked off, for instance, think of an alternative plan, and remember that if given an opportunity to escape, most pets can get out on their own.
Dyer urges people to remember, “just having the smoke alarm in your home is not going to save you … Once that alarm goes off, you need to have a plan to get out of your home.”
Escape plans vary depending on home types and layouts, but some ideas to help planners get started can be found at https://www.ready.gov/home-fire-escape-plan or by doing a quick online search for “fire escape plans.”
But for folks who don’t even have smoke alarms, help is available. As a free service to the community, the Union County Fire Department will install smoke alarms, change batteries or check the functionality and setup of smoke alarms already in the home.
It all starts with an application. Although folks can call and schedule an inspection at 706-439-6095, the ideal method is to visit www.unioncountyga.gov, highlight the “Departments” tab, and then look for Smoke Alarm Request Form beneath the Fire Department option.
After filling out a form, applicants will be contacted by the Fire Department to set up an appointment. On the scheduled day, volunteers will go to the address provided in the application, bearing a packet of information and instructions on how to manage a smoke alarm, come up with an escape plan and other fire safety protocol.
From there, the work begins of either setting up smoke alarms or investigating the ones already present. Homeowners are welcome to ask questions throughout the process, but there are a few things to keep in mind before residents schedule their appointment.
Cathedral ceilings are often difficult or impossible to reach, and hardwired smoke alarms usually require a contractor’s help to manage when it comes to switching out batteries or troubleshooting electrical issues.
While emergency services will always respond when 911 is called, Dyer believes it is important for residents to do what they can in the defense of their own homes, especially since it takes a little time for first responders to arrive.
“There’s a lot of things that you can do as a person, as an individual, as a homeowner, as a family member to keep your family safe,” Dyer said. “Make sure you do have smoke alarms in your house, make sure you have fire extinguishers in your house, so that if you have an emergency, you can try to take care of it (while help is on the way).”
