National Fire Prevention Week is October 5-11, 2014. This year’s theme is “Working Smoke Detectors Save Lives.”
Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department wants to remind the community to check your smoke alarms to make sure they are in working order. According to the State Fire Marshal’s Office, Tennessee has had 39 fire deaths to date. The National Fire Protection Association suggests that working smoke alarms can cut chances of fire death in half.
“Smoke alarms should be in every bedroom of your home, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home, including basements,” said Assistant Fire Marshal Carl Peas. “Smoke alarms should also be tested monthly to ensure they are functioning properly, and batteries should be changed at least twice a year,” he continued.
If you live in the city limits of Murfreesboro, MFRD’s Project SAFE “Smoke Alarms for Everyone” Program offers free smoke alarms and installation. MFRD also has specialty alarms available for the elderly, disabled, visually or hearing impaired. Contact MFRD Administration Office Monday-Friday 8:00 am-4:30 pm at 615-893-1422 or visit www.murfreesborotn.gov.
Fire Prevention Week is the longest running safety campaign. It was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, the tragic 1871 conflagration that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began on October 8, but continued into and did most of its damage on October 9, 1871.