NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. – Local firefighters bring out the truck and gear for Fire Prevention Safety Week.
The East Newton Fire Department spoke to students at East Newton schools to teach them about fire safety. This year’s national theme: “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety!” Firefighters across the United States visited schools this week.
Firefighters taught kids about the different sounds the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms make. Knowing what to do when an alarm sounds will keep you and your family safe.
Here are some tips provided by firefighters:
- When an alarm makes noises – a beeping sound or a chirping sound – you must take action.
- When You Hear a Beep, Get On Your Feet! Get out and stay out. Call 9-1-1 from your outside meeting place.
- Hear a Chirp, Make a Change! A chirping alarm needs attention. Replace the batteries or the entire alarm if it is older than 10 years old. If you don’t remember how old it is, replace it.
You can learn more about Fire Prevention Week here. There, you can also find more ways to teach kids about fire safety.
Fire Safety: What if someone in my home is deaf or hard of hearing?
There are smoke alarms and alert devices that alert people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These devices include strobe lights that flash to alert people when the smoke alarm sounds.
Pillow or bed shakers designed to work with your smoke alarm also can be purchased and installed. You can find more information here.
Smoke Alarms
Get Alarmed Kansas allows trained volunteers to install free smoke alarms in homes. The program provides smoke alarms to Kansas fire departments. The department will then schedule a time to come and install the device(s). You can find information and forms requesting smoke alarms here.
In Missouri, the Red Cross and its partners can test existing smoke alarms and install up to three free smoke alarms for those that need them. You can call and apply for help here.
The Red Cross also helps residents in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Home Fire Campaign has help and information here.