Hailey Heseltine
ECB Publishing, Inc.
When was the last time you tested or replaced your smoke detectors? Most house fires are caused by mishaps when cooking, but other fire sources, including heating and electrical malfunction, are also leading causes. A fire can happen anytime, anywhere, and no matter what, they bring with them devastating losses. It isn't something most residents think about often, but keeping this equipment up to date could be lifesaving. It's best to be prepared before tragedy strikes, and the Jefferson County Fire Rescue (JCFR) is ready to help you stay on guard.
Did you know that you should replace your smoke detectors every 10 years? Even if you keep functioning batteries in your smoke detectors and test them regularly, they still eventually reach the end of their lives and will no longer function as effectively as they need to, if at all. If it's time for your smoke detectors to be replaced, JCFR can provide and install units for free in each bedroom, common area and floor of your house. Each unit has built-in batteries that should last 10 years, until an entirely new smoke detector is needed.
The American Red Cross began providing the detectors for JCFR to install for local residents in 2018. Since then, according to Chief Burrus, “there's no doubt lives and property have been saved in Jefferson County.”
According the National Fire Protection Association, an average of over 328,000 home fires occurred annually between 2019 and 2023, causing over 70 percent of civilian fire deaths and 74 percent of civilian fire injuries. It's too dangerous to put safety on hold until you smell smoke.
If you are interested in having free smoke detectors installed in your home by JCFR personnel, call the rescue at (850) 342-0182, ext. 1.