The Janesville Fire Department is joining forces with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) during Fire Prevention Week, October 4-10. The two organizations aim to remind residents about the importance of having working smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home - including the basement.

This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign is “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep. Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm!”

In a fire, seconds count. Half of home fire deaths result from fires reported at night when most people are asleep. Home smoke alarms can alert people to a fire before it spreads, giving all inhabitants enough time to get out safely.

According to the latest NFPA research, working smoke alarms cut the chance of a fire casualty in half. Meanwhile, three out of five fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign includes the following smoke alarm messages:

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, in the hallway outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home - including the basement.
• For best protection, use dual sensor smoke detectors.
• If possible, interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. This way, when one sounds, they all do.
• Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.
• Replace batteries in all smoke alarms once a year (or sooner if the low battery alarm sounds).
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or sooner if they don't respond properly. Install new smoke detectors that have a 10 year battery.
• Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarm and understands what to do when they hear it. Make a fire escape plan and practice it often.
• If the smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside. Go to your outside meeting place.
• Call the fire department from outside the home.

During the month of October, the Janesville Fire Department will take this important fire safety message to students and staff as they monitor fire drills and visit 28 elementary, middle, and high schools and 18 preschools and daycares throughout Janesville.

To learn more about smoke alarms and “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep. Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm!” visit NFPA’s Web site at www.firepreventionweek.org or contact the Janesville Fire Department Prevention Bureau at 755-3056.