Smoke alarms are an important part of any home fire safety plan, and it is important to maintain them on a regular basis. Here in Tennessee and Northern Alabama, we are no stranger to wildfires. In fact, according to the National Interagency Fire Center, our region is currently experiencing an above-average wildfire risk.
While wildfires are certainly a concern, home fires are still the most common type of fire in our area. And, according to the National Fire Protection Association, three out of five home fire deaths occur in homes that do not have working smoke alarms.
This is why it is so important to regularly test your smoke alarms and to replace the batteries at least once a year. It is also a good idea to vacuum or dust your smoke alarms on a monthly basis to keep them free of debris.
If you have any questions about smoke alarm maintenance or other aspects of fire safety, please contact your local fire department. They will be more than happy to help you ensure that your home and family are as safe as possible.
Sources:
https://www.nifc.gov/fireInfo/fireInfo_statistics.aspx
https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Smoke-alarms/Smoke-alarms-save-lives
https://www.fema.gov/blog/2017/10/13/smoke-alarms-save-lives-test-them-often