(MITCHELL) – The Lawrence County Community Foundation awarded the Marion Township Volunteer Fire Department a grant for Fire Prevention in July.
Today Marion Township firefighters purchased more than 245 smoke detectors from the ACE Hardware Store in Mitchell. The smoke alarms have a twenty-year life span.
“We will be distributing the smoke detectors sometime in October during Fire Prevention Month. Due to COVID-19 we will be developing a plan on how this will be accomplished,” said Marion Township VFD Assistant Chief Dane Fountain.
In 2019, 87 Hoosiers died in house fires. Almost three out of five fire deaths resulted from fires where there were no working smoke detectors.
Properly installed and maintained smoke alarms provide the entire household an early warning of a fire.
In fact, a home with properly placed and working smoke alarms doubles the likelihood of survival. Help keep everyone you love by learning how to install and maintain smoke alarms.
- Alarms should be replaced eight to ten years. Over time, their sensors become less sensitive.
- Smoke Alarms should be tested every month to make sure the batteries are still working.
- In smoke alarms that use traditions batteries, batteries should be changed every year to make sure the alarm will continue to work.
- Install smoke alarms on every level , in every sleeping area and outside every bedroom of a building.
Smoke Alarm Installation:
The National Fire Protection Association reports that in about two-thirds of home fire deaths, no working smoking alarm was found.
- Place alarms on the ceiling or high on the wall.
- Alarms should be placed no closer than 10 feet from a stove, as everyday cooking may be a trigger.
- Hearing – limited or deaf individuals can use alarms with strobe lights, and bed shakers.
- Hard wired alarms need to be installed by a professional.
- Consider purchasing a combined carbon monoxide alarm, especially if the home uses gas appliances.
For more information about Marion Twp Volunteer Fire Department go to:http://www.mariontwpfire.com/
For more information about the Lawrence County Community Foundation go to: https://www.facebook.com/lccommunityfoundation/
