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Proper Smoke Detector Maintenance



Most home fires that involve a fatality normally occur at night when people are sleeping. Contrary to popular belief, the smell of smoke may not wake sleeping person. Smoke and poisonous gases resulting from fire tend to numb the senses, putting victims into a deeper sleep. Smoke detectors sound an alarm, alerting those who are sleeping to fire. By providing time to escape, smoke detectors cut the risk of dying in home fires by half. Most new homes have smoke detectors installed. The Gloucester Fire Departement urges all owners of older homes to install them as well. Smoke detectors should be placed outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. Install detectors in or near living areas, such as dens, living rooms, dinning rooms or family rooms. Detectors are not recommended for kitchens, bathrooms, or garages--where cooking fumes, steam, or exhaust could set off false alarms. Hardware and home supply stores are the best places to purchase smoke detectors. Most detectors can be installed using only a drill and screwdriver. It is imperative that smoke detectors be maintained. Batteries should be changed at least once a year and should never be taken out of the detector for another use. Cleaning is also important. Dust and cobwebs can reduce a detectors's sensitivity to smoke.

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Working Smoke Detectors Save Lives!

Safety Tip

One is definitely NOT enough! Every home should be equipped with smoke detectors on every level, particularly outside of sleeping areas.

In a home fire, poisonous smoke and gases spread far ahead of the flames. The poisonous gases can quickly overcome a person trying to escape. The majority of fire deaths occur at night when people are asleep. Fire gases deaden the sense of smell and can keep a sleeping person from ever waking up, causing death long before the arrival of any flames.

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Protect yourself and your loved ones!