McCord’s Fire Department urges all Cherokee County residents to know how old their smoke alarms are and to replace them every 10 years!

Does your home have a smoke alarm? According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the answer is likely yes: NFPA research shows that most American homes have at least one. But do you know how old your smoke alarms are? If you’re like most people, you’re probably not so sure.

A recent survey conducted by NFPA revealed that only a small percentage of people know how old their smoke alarms are, or how often they need to be replaced. That lack of awareness is a concern for the members of McCord’s Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department and NFPA, along with fire departments throughout the country, because smoke alarms don’t last forever.

“Working smoke alarms save lives,” says Chief Rich Lindsey. “A working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a house fire in half! That’s why we are making a concerted effort to educate our residents about the overall importance of smoke alarms, and that they do have a limit.”

NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code®, requires smoke alarms be replaced at least every 10 years, but because the public is generally unaware of this requirement, many homes have smoke alarms past their expiration date, putting people at increased risk.

As the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 90 years, NFPA is promoting this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Don’t Wait – Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years,” to better educate the public about the critical importance of knowing how old their smoke alarms are and replacing them once they’re 10 years old. Fire Prevention Week is October 9-15, 2016.

McCord’s Fire Department will be providing in-home smoke alarm inspections for residents of McCord’s Fire Department’s jurisdiction. The service will be provided to interested residents at no cost. The department will schedule a time and come out and perform an inspection to determine if your home is adequately protected by working smoke alarms. The department will, at the homeowner’s request, install detectors where they are needed.

To find out how old your smoke alarm is and its expiration date, simply look on the back of the alarm where the date of manufacture is marked. The smoke alarm should be replaced 10 years from that date (not the date of purchase). McCord’s Fire Department also reminds residents that smoke alarms should be tested monthly, and that batteries should be replaced once a year or when they begin to chirp, signaling that they are running low.

To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities, or request an in home smoke alarm inspection, please contact Chief Lindsey by phone at 256-484-1229 or by email at rich_lindsey@cherokeegin.com. For more information on smoke alarms and this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Don’t Wait: Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years”, visit www.firepreventionweek.org.