The Toads Favorite Fire Pads - Safety

SMOKE DETECTORS

YOUR SMOKE DETECTOR
IS PART OF A TOTAL ESCAPE PLAN

THE DANGER

If a fire occurs in your home, your chances for survival are two times better when smoke detectors are present than when they are not. Over 6,000 deaths occur in homes each year. Most people die from SMOKE and toxic gases rather than the fire itself. Many never even wake up.

MOST FIRE DEATHS COULD BE PREVENTED

THE PLAN

Protect yourself and your family by: Purchasing, installing and maintaining one or more SMOKE DETECTORS in your home to wake you when the fire starts. Developing and practicing an ESCAPE PLAN to enable you to get out safely.

PURCHASE A SMOKE DETECTOR

A smoke detector is a fire alarm that buzzes when it detects smoke, warning you in time to escape.

WHAT KIND?

Smoke detectors can be either house current or battery operated. Either kind can do a good job. Make sure the model you choose has been listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.

HOW MUCH?

A smoke detector may be purchased at most retail stores for about $10.00 - $30.00.

HOW MANY?

There should be a least one smoke detector in every household. Additional detectors will significantly increase your chances of survival.

INSTALLATION IS SIMPLE

If you can handle a screwdriver, you can install most smoke detectors.

WHERE?

Smoke detectors should be placed on the ceiling or high on a wall near the bedrooms. This enables the detector to sense the smoke as it approaches the sleeping area.
Locate your smoke detector away from air outlet vents.
Call your local fire department for advice on the best place to install your detectors.
Battery-operated and "plug-in" electric detectors can be attached directly to the ceiling or wall.
"Wired-in" electric detectors are somewhat more difficult to install and may require an electrician.

Change the batteries in your SMOKE Detector when you change the clocks. Twice a year!!!!

How Does A Smoke Detector Work?

Look at this cut away view of a smoke detector.

MAINTENANCE IS IMPORTANT Your smoke detector must be maintained properly to provide you and your family with protection. If your Smoke Detector doesn't work properly the Silence . . . . . Could be DEADLY
	Test your smoke detector at least once a month. Push the test button or use smoke.
	Clean your detector at least once a year. Dust the grillwork with a vacuum cleaner.
	Replace batteries and bulbs according to manufacturer's instructions. Battery-operated units do require somewhat more maintenance, since batteries must be replaced.

PROTECT YOUR FAMILY FROM FIRE

PURCHASE one or more smoke detectors.
INSTALL your detectors properly.
IDENTIFY escape routes and PRACTICE ESCAPING.
MAINTAIN your detectors.

KNOW HOW TO ESCAPE

Your smoke detector will awaken you, but you may not be thinking clearly. You should practice escaping before an emergency strikes.

WHY?

Once a fire has started, it spreads rapidly. You may have only seconds to get out. Normal exits from bedrooms may be blocked by smoke or fire. It is important everyone knows exactly what to do.

IDENTIFY ESCAPE ROUTES

Plan two exits from every room. Second story windows may need a rope or chain ladder to enable occupants to escape safely. Choose a meeting place outside the home so you'll know everyone has escaped.

PRACTICE ESCAPING

Practice allows you to test your plan before a real emergency. You may not be able to reach your children! It is important that they know exactly what to do.

Children and Smoke Alarms

Did you know that despite a piercing 70-85 decibel signal, children often sleep through the sound of a home smoke alarm? A quick response is essential in a fire emergency, so if children don't waken to the signal, parents and caregivers must wake them. Interconnected smoke alarms can make a life-saving difference. Interconnected smoke alarms are hard-wired into a home's electrical system and each alarm is connected together so that when one alarm signals, they all signal, no matter where the fire starts.

With interconnected smoke alarms, you'll have early warning of the fire wherever you are, because the smoke alarm in your room will sound at the same time as the alarm in the room with the fire. If your children or someone else in the household isn't aroused by the smoke alarm, you'll be able to waken them, hastening their safe escape.

Danger: Even with interconnected alarms, emerging research has demonstrated that sleeping children may be able to tune out the blaring sound. Make sure your children wake and properly respond when the smoke alarms signal. Empowering children with basic fire escape skills is a very good idea - everyone should know to react immediately to the sound of the alarm and how to get outside quickly. But before assuming children will react appropriately to a late-night fire, parents must learn if their children will be roused immediately or sleep through the smoke alarm. Even those who awaken to the sound of the alarm may be groggy or move with indecision.

Learn if your children will awaken

To find out for certain, the Home Safety Council urges parents to hold regular family fire drills. Children can participate in the drills by helping to draw the fire escape plan . Once kids have mastered fire escape skills, hold a drill when children are sleeping to learn how they will respond to the sound of the smoke alarm. Push the "test" button on the closest alarm during the drill. If children don't readily waken and demonstrate the ability to move with decision, parents must make a contingency plan for awakening them in family drills and in a fire emergency.

Important: Children aren't the only ones who sleep through smoke alarms. Research shows that teenagers and even adults can tune out the loud sound while they sleep. Additionally, people with hearing impairments may not be able to hear conventional alarms; special smoke alarms with strobes and/or vibration are available for purchase online and through local fire equipment distributors. Make sure everyone in your family is protected by the early warning that smoke alarms provide.

Every-level fire protection

Hard-wired, interconnected smoke alarms are now required in new home construction. If you are building or remodeling your home, hire an electrician to install interconnected alarms throughout your house. Every home should have working smoke alarms on each level, and protecting each sleeping area. The Home Safety Council recommends installing smoke alarms inside bedrooms as well. For additional protection from fire, consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your new or remodeled home. For more information about the Home Safety Council www.homesafetycouncil.org or what you can do to make your home safer.

National Fire Protection Association

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