Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety – Fire Prevention Week 2021
Loss due to fire accounts for a significant number of insurance claims every year, but at Red River Mutual, we want to make sure you have the understanding and resources you need to both avoid a costly claim and protect what matters most to you.
This year, Fire Prevention Week is from October 3 to 9 and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has chosen the theme Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety.
Do you know how to react to the different sounds your smoke alarm makes?
A continued set of three louds beeps means there is fire and/or smoke on the premises.
If you hear this smoke alarm sound, you need to:
- Crawl low to stay under the smoke
- Make your way out of the building and stay outside
- Call 9-1-1 and keep your distance from the building
A chirp every 30 to 60 seconds means the smoke alarm batteries need to be changed.
How often should you test your smoke alarm? Once every month. All smoke alarms have a button you can press and hold to check if it sounds.
How often should you change your smoke alarm batteries? Once every year. Changing them when you change your clocks over for daylight savings time is a good way to remember.
All smoke alarms need to be totally replaced, not just the batteries, after 10 years. If the smoke alarm still makes a chirping sound after you have replaced the batteries that’s a sign that the alarm should be replaced.
Do you know how to react to the different sounds your carbon monoxide detector makes?
Four loud continuous beeps means there is carbon monoxide present.
If you hear this detector sound, get out of the building and call 9-1-1.
A chirp every 30 to 60 seconds mean the detector’s batteries need to be changed.
If the carbon monoxide detector still makes a chirping sound after you have replaced the batteries that’s a sign that the alarm should be replaced.
For more tips on working smoke alarms, watch the video below.
The NFPA has also put together smoke alarm tips for those who are deaf or hard of hearing. If anyone in your home has sensory or physical disabilities, you can also install visual alert devices that will respond to the sound of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
For more smoke alarm safety tips for your home, college dorm, or even when you stay at a motel or hotel, look through the NFPA’s safety tip sheets.
Once you’re aware of the danger, the most important step is to get out of harm’s way and evacuate the building. This means you need to have a fire escape plan set in place.
We’ve put together some fire safety resources for you to follow and help prepare in case of an emergency, including our digital fire escape planning tool.