Happy Thanksgiving from Graafschap Fire Department!

We all hope that you have safe travels to wherever this holiday takes you. While visiting across town or across the country, please keep your family’s safety in mind. Smoke detectors are not just to let you know when the meal is ready! We ask that you take smoke and carbon monoxide alarms seriously. Here are a few reasons why according to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA):

• Smoke alarms were present in three-quarters (74 percent) of the reported home fires from 2018 to 2022. Nearly three out of five (59 percent) home fire deaths were caused by fires in properties with no smoke alarms (43 percent) or smoke alarms that failed to operate (16 percent).
• The death rate per 1,000 home structure fires is approximately 60 percent lower in homes with working smoke alarms than in homes with no alarms or none that operated.

When you visit, be “That Guy or Gal” and check alarms in your friend’s/family’s home. Alarms should sound when tested. Battery units should have new batteries once per year. If any unit is 10 years or older, it needs replaced due to the decrease in sensitivity over time.

The latest fire/building code requires a smoke alarm in each bedroom and each common area on all levels of a home. It also requires on carbon monoxide alarm per level, near the sleeping area. Existing homes are not required to maintain this code, but it is strongly recommended.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are often overlooked. Be a good guest and check the dwelling you share with family and friends this long weekend. If you have issues or NO detectors at all, and you live in the Graafschap Fire Department’s coverage area, please call 616-396-4060 or go to our CRR page. We will make an appointment to come evaluate your home as part of our Community Risk Reduction’s Smoke Detector Program. If detectors are needed, we will install them at no cost to you. If you live outside our coverage area, you can reach out to your fire department or call us and we will help you determine who your fire department is.

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