Americans Can Use Their "Extra Hour" On Sunday To Reduce Their Risk Of Dying In A House Fire By 50 Percent
Release Date: October 23, 2003
Release Number: HQ-03-228a
Washington DC -- The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging all residents to replace their smoke detector batteries and check their units on Oct. 26, when clocks are turned back to end Daylight Savings Time. Taking part of the "extra hour" to do so can have lifesaving consequences.
"In many of the house fires where lives are lost, an operating smoke detector could have made a difference. A smoke detector reduces the risk of dying in a house fire by 50 percent," said Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response. "We urge people not to think 'it won't happen to them' and to take the easy and inexpensive steps necessary to safeguard themselves and their families."
Some 2,700 people lost their lives in residential fires in 2002 and another 14,000 were injured.
FEMA offers these additional fire safety tips:
- Install smoke detectors on every level of your home, especially near bedrooms;
- Test all smoke detectors monthly;
- Keep smoke detectors clean by vacuuming over and around them regularly;
- As with any appliance, smoke detectors wear out. Replace the entire unit after 10 years or as recommended by the manufacturer;
- Make sure you know the location of your fire department, police station and hospital and post a list of emergency numbers near all the telephones;
- Organize and practice a family fire drill.
More information can be found at: http://www.usfa.fema.gov/public/hfs/alarms.shtm
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA's continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages Citizen Corps, the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Tuesday, 28-Oct-2003 10:42:19