Here the Beep Where You Sleep

One of the most important things you can do to help keep you and your family safe at home is to have working smoke detectors. The National Fire Protection Association recommends a smoke detector on each floor and in each sleeping area of every home. Their are many homes that do not have a single working smoke detector. This isn’t okay, and we want to fix it.

The Dryridge Volunteer Fire Department is focusing on our elderly and disabled residents, and those who are simply unable to purchase their own detectors. Due to grant we received from Kiddie Fire Safety Products, we can provide and install one smoke detector free of charge to residences in the Dryridge Fire Department area. We can also help you check your existing smoke detectors, or install detectors that you provide. To find out more information about the Here the Beep Where You Sleep program fill out the form at the bottom of the page and a member of the Dryridge Volunteer Fire Department will be in contact with you.

Smoke Detector Care, Placement & Maintenance

At a minimum, a smoke detector should be installed on every floor in your home. If possible, smoke detectors should also be installed in each sleeping area. In the event of a fire, an individual may not hear a detector that is in a hallway if they are sleeping.

In general, smoke detectors should be placed in the center of a ceiling or, if placed on a wall, they should be at least 10 inches below the ceiling. If a wall mounted detector is placed too close to the ceiling or a ceiling mounted detector is placed in a corner, an air pocket may form around them, possibly making them slower to detect a smoke condition. Smoke detectors should also not be mounted to close to a kitchen or fireplace due to the potential for numerous false alarms that may lead to an immunity to the alarm in the event of a real fire. Finally, smoke detectors should be tested monthly. If the detector fails to activate, check and/or replace the batteries. Also, if the detector begins to “chirp”, this is likely an indication that the detector is low and the batteries need to be replaced. Smoke detectors should be replaced every 10 years.

Know the facts:

• Three out of five home fire deaths result from fires in properties without working smoke alarms
• More than one-third (38 percent) of home fire deaths result from fires in which no smoke alarms are present.
• The risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms.