(Courtesy photo/SBFD)
Special to the NEWS
The San Benito Fire Department participated in this year’s Fire Prevention Week, which ran from Oct. 6 -12.
Fire Prevention Week is observed each year during the week of Oct. 9 in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on Oct. 8, 1871 and caused devastating damage. This year’s theme, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!” emphasized the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home.
Throughout the week, the San Benito Fire Department visited various schools and provided fire safety demonstrations. Students learned about smoke alarms, escape routes, and fire safety tips to protect their homes and loved ones.
“We are committed to educating the community on the importance of fire safety,” said SBFD Fire Chief Efrain H. Bautista.
“Taking simple steps, like planning and practicing an escape route, can make all the difference in an emergency,” Bautista concluded.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by more than half (54 percent). Meanwhile, roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
“Smoke alarms serve as the first line of defense in a home fire, but they need to be working in order to protect people,” said Lorraine Carli, Vice President of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA. “This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign helps better educate the public about simple but critical steps they can take to make sure their homes have smoke alarms in all the needed locations and that they’re working properly.”
The SBFD offers these key smoke alarm safety tips and guidelines:
• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (such as a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of the home.
• Make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
For more information about Fire Prevention Week and smoke alarms, visit fpw.org.
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