10/01/2021
Important Info
The Tallahassee Fire Department (TFD) wants residents to “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety,” the theme of this year’s Fire Prevention Week. This annual recognition runs from Oct. 3-9 and has been sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for more than 90 years to help provide fire safety education across the country.
“What do the sounds mean? Is there a beep or a chirp coming out of your smoke or carbon monoxide alarm? Knowing the difference can save you, your home and your family,” said Lorraine Carli, vice-president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA.
TFD encourages all residents to take time during the coming week to check their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and learn the sounds they make. Smoke alarms can provide the early warning necessary to escape a deadly fire. TFD will provide two residential smoke alarms at no cost to homeowners who are either physically or financially unable to purchase or install their own smoke alarms. Requests can be made online or by calling 850-891-6600.
“When an alarm makes noise, you must take action,” Fire Chief Jerome Gaines said. “Make sure everyone in the home understands the sounds of the alarms and knows how to respond. To learn the sounds of your specific smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, check the manufacturer’s instructions that came in the box or search the brand and model online.”
Keep the following tips in mind as you learn the sounds of fire safety:
- A continuous set of three loud beeps—beep, beep, beep—means smoke or fire. Get out, call 9-1-1 and stay out.
- A single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be changed.
- All smoke alarms must be replaced after 10 years.
- Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life. The unit must be replaced.
- Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms meet the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
TFD is hosting the following events in support of this year’s Fire Prevention Week:
Safety Tips from TFD
Saturday, October 2, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Lowe’s, 5500 Commonwealth Blvd.
Touch-A-Truck Drive-Thru
Sunday, October 3, from 12 – 2 p.m.
Governor’s Square Mall parking lot, 1500 Apalachee Pkwy
To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in Tallahassee, please contact TFD Captain Robert Clary at 850-891-6600. You can also stay engaged by following TFD on social media. For more information about Fire Prevention Week, visit www.fpw.org.
