Fire Prevention Week is October 6-12, 2024. This Year's theme is Smoke Alarms: Make them Work for You

“Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!”

According to the National Fire Protection Association, smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by more than half (54 percent). Approximately three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. “Smoke alarms serve as the first line of defense in a home fire, but they need to be working in order to protect people,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA.

Cambridge Fire Department encourages all residents to actively support the 2024 FPW theme, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!” Working smoke alarms can make a life-saving difference in a fire, giving people (and pets) the time to get out safely.

“Fire Prevention Week is the time of year to revisit escape plans with your families, and make sure everyone in the home knows what to do in an emergency. The Cambridge firefighters you see every day in the streets, as well as our Fire Prevention staff are always happy to advise on best practices,” says Cambridge Acting Fire Chief Thomas Cahill.

Review these smoke alarm safety tips and guidelines:

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of the home
• Make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old
• Have a plan on what to do when the smoke alarm activates

For more information about Fire Prevention Week 2024 and smoke alarms, visit fpw.org.

For fire safety fun for kids, visit sparky.org.

For additional information about Smoke Alarm requirements in MA, go to: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/smoke-and-carbon-monoxide-alarms or contact the Cambridge Fire Prevention Bureau at 617-349-4921.