An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Hear the beep where you sleep: Every bedroom needs a working smoke alarm

  • Published
  • By 375th Civil Engineer Squadron
  • Fire Department
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  You're at home fast asleep and a fire breaks out. Would you wake up? Would your family know what to do? Early warning in the event of a fire can save lives. Every bedroom needs a working smoke alarm. This year's Fire Prevention Week aims to better educate the public about the value of working smoke alarms in the home.

So why is it so important to have smoke alarms all over your home? The presence of working smoke alarms in your home cuts in half the risk of dying. According to National Fire Protection Association statistics, half of all U.S. home fire deaths occur at night between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., when people are most likely to be sleeping.

Experts agree that home dwellers have about two minutes to escape a residential fire once the smoke detector is triggered. Since most residential fires occur while occupants are sleeping, it may be safer to assume that there is less than that. Working smoke alarms are a critical fire-safety tool that can mean the difference between life and death in a home fire.

Here's a few tips you can follow to keep you and your family safe:

Smoke alarms should be installed inside each bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.

Interconnected smoke alarms are the most effective type of detectors because when one sounds, they all sound.

Inspect all alarms once a month and replace each alarm when it is 10 years old.

Everyone in your home should know the sound of the alarm and what the plan is in the event of a fire.

These simple tips can help make a life-saving difference, and prevent the potentially life-threatening impact of fire. Our sincere hope is that all Scott AFB members participate in one or more of our Fire Prevention Week activities, and make sure there are working smoke alarms installed throughout their homes.

There will be fire safety info and a fire truck at the Exchange Oct. 9 from 2-7 p.m.