Just a few reminders: As I mentioned last week, the firefighter calendar will be released on March 19 at 6:30 p.m. at New Orleans Hamburger and Seafood in LaPlace. Proceeds from that evening will go towards Relay For Life, which is April 2, in Reserve. 

Smoke alarms

Every year, approximately 2,600 Americans die in home fires. Over half of these deaths (52 percent) occur between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., when residents are typically sleeping. Smoke and toxic gases from a home fire are as deadly as heat and flames. Just two or three breaths of toxic smoke can render you unconscious. The majority of fire victims die or are injured from exposure to smoke and toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide, not actual burns. In addition, smoke obscures vision, decreasing your ability to escape.

Smoke alarms save lives, prevent injuries and minimize property damage by detecting fires early and alerting residents, allowing crucial time to escape. The risk of dying from a fire in a home without working smoke alarms is twice as high as in a home that has working smoke alarms.

What types of smoke alarms are available?

There are many different brands of smoke alarms available on the market but they fall under two basic types:  ionization and photoelectric.

• Ionization alarms sound more quickly when a flaming, fast moving fire occurs. 

• Photoelectric alarms are quicker at sensing smoldering, smoky fires. 

• There are also combination (dual sensor) smoke alarms that combine ionization and photoelectric into one unit.

Because both ionization and

photoelectric smoke alarms are better at detecting distinctly different yet potentially fatal fires, and because home residents cannot predict what type of fire might start in a home, the U.S. Fire Administration recommends the installation of both ionization and photoelectric or dual sensor smoke alarms.

In addition to the basic types of smoke alarms, there are alarms made to meet the needs of people with hearing disabilities. These alarms may use strobe lights that flash and/or vibrate to assist in alerting those who are unable to hear standard smoke alarms when they sound.

How long will my smoke alarm last?

Most alarms installed today have

a life span of about 8-10 years. After this time, the entire unit should be replaced. It is a good idea to write the date of purchase with a marker on the inside of your alarm so you will know when to replace it. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for replacement.

Install smoke alarms

• On every level of your home

• Outside of bedrooms or wherever people sleep

• Inside every bedroom

• Away from air vents or registers and other spaces with high air flow

• Best location: on the ceiling in the center of the room, at least 12 inches from any wall

• Second best location: on a wall 12 inches below the ceiling

Maintain smoke alarms

• Always follow the manufacturer’s written instructions

• Test alarms every month (press the test button)

• Change batteries at least once a year

Pick a date you will remember: when you change your clocks, your birthday, or a holiday

Some smoke alarms come with 10-year batteries that do not need to be changed annually

• Replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years

• Combination alarms may need to be replaced after 7 years

Michael Heath is president of the St. John Professional Firefighters Association.