Fire Prevention Week 2024 is October 6th to the 12th and the Missouri Department of Public Safety is emphasizing the importance of smoke alarms in protecting Missouri families.
State Fire Marshal Tim Beam says one of the simplest steps Missourians can take to protect their families is to install smoke alarms in their homes. This can reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by more than 50%.
Bean says an estimated three of every five home fire deaths occur in a home without working smoke alarms.
Captain Johnathan Nolan from the Chillicothe Fire Department says placement and number of detectors is important.
Nolan says even the inexpensive detectors can be just as good as the rest.
Many Missouri fire departments, working with the American Red Cross, can even provide and install smoke alarms for families at no cost. Chillicothe Fire Department has a limited number of detectors available. Call the non-emergency number for the fire department at 660-646-2139 to find out more.
He also reminds us to check and clean the detectors, and if they are battery operated, change the batteries every six months or according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
