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An Alarming Sound / Smoke Alarms
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Home
fires pose a serious threat to you and your family. More than 6,000
people die and over 300,000 are injured each year by residential
fires. These injuries and deaths are all the more tragic because
more than 50% of those deaths and injuries would not have happened
if a working smoke alarm had been present. Smoke alarms do not prevent
fires, protect your property, or put out a fire, they DO improve
you chances of getting out - ALIVE! When properly installed and maintained,
smoke alarms buy you time: time to escape and time to call
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Facts and Figures:
- 15 of every 16 homes (94%) in the US have at least one smoke alarm.
- More than 50% of home fire deaths occur in those 6% of homes without smoke alarms.
- Homes with non-working smoke alarms now outnumber those homes that do no have smoke alarms.
- In 33% of reported fires in homes with smoke alarms, the devices did not work.
- Why do smoke alarms fail? Most often because of missing, dead or disconnected batteries.
Safety
Tips:
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While
smoke alarms alert people to fire, families still need to develop and
practice home fire escape plans so that they can get out quickly.
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Oregon
state law requires installation of one smoke alarm on each level of
the home, and outside of each sleeping area. Hillsboro Fire Department
recommends that a smoke alarm be installed in each sleeping area for
additional protection.
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Oregon
state law also requires that a battery-operated smoke alarm have a
long-life battery and a hush feature. Further, hard-wire smoke alarms,
those alarms that are directly wired to your electrical system, must
also have a hush button.
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Because
smoke rises, alarms should be mounted on ceilings or high on walls.
Ceiling-mounted alarms should be positioned 6 inches from the nearest
wall, and as close to the center of the room as possible. Wall-mounted
alarms should be positioned 6-12 inches from the ceiling. For further
installation information, refer to the manufacturer's instructions.
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Avoid
placing smoke alarms in or near a kitchen, close to or in bathrooms
or laundry rooms. The steam and/or cooking vapors can cause nuisance
alarms and/or desensitize the sensing mechanism.
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Also,
do no place smoke alarms near heat ducts, cold air returns, and under
ceiling fans. In these instances, drafts can interfere with their proper
operation.
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Make
sure that the smoke alarm you buy carries the label of an independent
testing lab.
Smoke Alarm Maintenance:
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Test
smoke alarms once a month by depressing the test button. The test button
is designed to test the entire system.
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Clean
smoke alarms at least twice a year. Simply attach the soft brush attachment
to your vacuum and clean the face of the smoke alarm.
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