October 4-10 Is Fire Prevention Week; Theme is 'Hear the Beep Where You Sleep'

Keeping your family safe by having a working smoke alarm in every bedroom is the message behind this year's Fire Prevention Week campaign, "Hear the Beep Where You Sleep." The Department of Fire Services is joining forces with fire departments and safety advocates across the Commonwealth during Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4-10, to remind residents about the importance of having working smoke alarms in their homes, including bedrooms, and testing them monthly.

According to the latest National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) research, working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire in half. In Massachusetts, over 20% of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

"In a fire, seconds count," said State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan. "More than half of home fire deaths result from fires reported at night between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep; and one-quarter of all fatal fires in Massachusetts in 2014 began in the bedroom. Having smoke alarms can alert people to a fire before it spreads, giving everyone enough time to get out."

While smoke alarms are only required in bedrooms of newly constructed one- and two-family homes, it is a good recommendation for everyone, especially smokers and heavy sleepers. Smoke alarms are required outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home.

This year's Fire Prevention Week campaign includes the following smoke alarm messages:

•Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.

•Interconnect smoke alarms throughout your home. When one sounds, they all sound.

•Test alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.

•Unless smoke alarms have a long life sealed battery, replace batteries twice a year when we change our clocks.

•Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or if they do not sound when tested.

•Have a practiced home escape plan and make sure everyone knows where the meeting place is.

•Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarm and understands what to do when they hear it.

•When the smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside. Go to your outside meeting place.