Make sure smoke alarms are working

The theme for Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 6-12  is “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!”

Oct 7, 2024 – The State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®)—the official sponsor of Fire Prevention WeekTM (FPWTM)  for more than 100 years—to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week (FPW) campaign, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!TM” The campaign works to educate everyone about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home.

According to NFPA, smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by more than half (54 percent). Meanwhile, roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

“Working smoke alarms can make a life-saving difference in a home fire, giving people the time to get out safely,” said State Fire Marshal and Insurance Commissioner Mike Chaney. “This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign is a great way to remind everyone about these messages and to act on them.”

SFMO offers these key 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.

The SFMO offers more safety tips online, at https://www.mid.ms.gov/mississippi-insurance-department/preparedness/fire-preparedness/.

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