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 Hampstead Volunteer Fire Company and NFPA, along with fire departments throughout the country, because smoke alarms don’t last forever.

Time and again, we've seen the life-saving impact smoke alarms can have in a home fire, but our members also have seen the tragedy that can result when smoke alarms aren’t working properly. That’s why we’re making a concerted effort to educate Hampstead area residents about the overall importance of smoke alarms, and that they do have a life 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.

Did you know that roughly half of home fire deaths result from fires reported between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., when most people are asleep?

Smoke alarms save lives. If there is a fire in your home, smoke spreads fast and you need smoke alarms to increase your chances of getting out. In fact, having a working smoke alarm cuts the chances of dying in a reported fire in half!

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW!
• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home.
• Test your smoke alarms every month.
• When a smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside.
• It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds they all sound.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old. Abide by Maryland’s updated Smoke Alarm law effective July 1, 2013. The new Maryland Smoke Alarm Law is part of the Public Safety Article, Sections 9-101 through 9-109.

SMOKE ALARMS BY THE NUMBERS
• Three of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
• In fires considered large enough to activate the smoke alarm, hardwired alarms operated 94% of the time, while battery powered alarms operated 80% of the time.
• When smoke alarms fail to operate, it is usually because batteries are missing, disconnected, or dead.
• An ionization smoke alarm is generally more responsive to flaming fires and a photoelectric smoke alarm is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. For the best protection, or where extra time is needed to awaken or assist others, both types of alarms, or combination ionization and photoelectric alarms are recommended

Some of the content is reproduced from NFPA's Fire Prevention Week website, www.firepreventionweek.org. © 2016 NFPA.