by Jason Pallotta, Asst. Fire Chief, Inlet Vol. Fire Dept.

This past month the Old Forge and Inlet EMS crews were kept busy with numerous EMS calls. Also, Old Forge Volunteer Fire Department personnel responded to several calls, one of which was for “wires down”, which led to a short power outage.

Inlet Fire Department volunteers responded to an automatic alarm call at the Inlet Town Hall, however no cause was found.

Local departments will be busy with training this month with a Flat Ice Rescue Drill sponsored by the Woodgate Fire Department, and a Fire Fighter Survival Course and a F.A.S.T Team Training Course being held by the Old Forge Fire Department.

This month, I would like to share some information on Smoke Detectors and Fire Alarm Systems.Smoke detectors are the most important protection you can have in your home to help keep you safe in the event of a fire.

Statistics show that each year approximately 70% of home fire deaths occur in homes with no detectors or non-working ones.

Homes with working detectors have a death rate of 50% less than homes without. If every home had working detectors in the U.S., fire deaths would decrease by 36%, saving an estimated 1,120 lives per year!

There are two types of Alarm Systems: hardwired inter-connect systems and battery operated detectors. In hardwired inter-connect systems, when one detector is activated all the alarms will sound.

Although this system provides the most warning time, you will need to hire someone to install and it can be expensive.

Battery operated detectors are  most commonly found in residential homes.

In either system, placement of detectors are the same.

Per National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommendations, smoke detectors should be placed on every level of the home, including the basement. It is also a good idea to mount one just outside a common sleeping area, such as a bedroom hallway, as well as inside a bedroom.

Because smoke rises, detectors should be mounted high on walls or ceilings.

Ceiling mounted detectors should be installed at least 4” from walls, and wall mounted detectors should be installed 4” to 12” from ceiling.

For pitched or cathedral ceilings, they should be installed at the highest point.

Smoke detectors should not be installed in garages, kitchens or bathrooms.

Some detectors come with special features designed for specific needs.

They include escape lights, strobe lights for the hearing impaired, lithium batteries that last for 10 years, smoke and CO combo units, remote controlled test buttons that allow you to use your TV or VCR remote control to test the detector, and hush buttons that allow you to silence the alarm temporarily in case of a “nuisance” alarm.

NFPA also recommends replacing detectors that are more than 10 years old. If you don’t know the age of yours, replace it.

Test your detectors once a month following the manufacturers instructions. Replace the batteries at least once a year or when you hear it “chirping.”

A good practice is to change the batteries when you change your clocks in the fall.

Never disable your detector. If it is activating for no reason, replace it. If cooking smoke or steam from a shower is setting it off, try moving it to another location.

Studies have shown that some children, or those with hearing impairments, may not awaken when a detector sounds.

Plan a fire drill at night to ensure that everyone can hear the alarm and knows what to do when the detectors activate.

It’s important to know how your child will react before a fire occurs.

If you have any questions or need additional assistance regarding smoke detectors, contact your local fire department, Codes Office, or the Inlet Fire Department and leave a message.

On behalf of all your local volunteers, I would like to wish everyone a Happy and Safe New Year.