GIFTS OF LOVE - GIFTS OF LIFE
The Madison Fire Department has a few suggestions
for gifts that could save the life of someone you love.
Smoke Detectors -- Studies have shown that
having a smoke detector in your home cuts the risk of dying in a
fire in half. Smoke detectors are effective & inexpensive life
saving devices that can provide early warning in the event of a
fire, thus allowing time for escape. Is your current smoke
detector too old? A detector should work for about 10 years,
after which time it should be discarded. Your new detector may come
with a reminder label saying "replace by 2006." If not,
post your own reminder note. Prices range locally from $5 to $30
depending on the power source used & the number of special
features present.
Fire Extinguishers -- Almost 90 percent of
American homes have at least one smoke detector, yet only about 30
percent of American homes have even one fire extinguisher. Be sure
you buy a model large enough to protect your home against fires of
all common burning materials. We recommend a multipurpose 2-A:10-B:C
fire extinguisher to deal with most kinds of household fires. Make
sure that you familiarize yourself with the basic steps to operate
the extinguisher & that the extinguisher you buy is a
rechargeable model. Prices range from $20 to $40 depending on size
& features.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors -- More than 200
deaths a year in the USA from carbon monoxide (CO) result from an
inefficient or malfunctioning furnace, space heater, or other
fuel-burning appliance. Regularly maintaining your home's heating
system is the best way to reduce the risk of CO poisoning.
But just to be safe, you can also install a
detector that continuously monitors the air for high levels of CO,
much as the smoke detector is always on-guard against signs of fire.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has proposed that a CO
detector be mandatory for all new residential construction, starting
in 1995, and recommends that all existing homes be equipped with
the devices. A CO detector is most important in homes that have a
fuel-fired hot-air furnace or a space heater, wood stove, or
fireplace -- the most common household sources of carbon monoxide.
Prices range from about $30 to 60 depending on the power source
used.
For more information on smoke detectors, fire
extinguishers & carbon monoxide detectors please contact the
Community Education Unit of the Madison Fire Department at 266-4420.
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