Parkland burn staff note importance of working fire alarms
National Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 6-12
Often the calendar is the only way to distinguish one season from another in Texas. That, and daylight-saving time. Twice yearly – once in March and again in November as the clocks spring forward and fall back – individuals are reminded to change the batteries in their smoke detectors and carbon monoxide monitors.
This year, as part of National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 6-12, National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) officials are educating the public about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home. With a theme of “Fire alarms. Make them work for you!” the fire protection agency says there are key calls to action – install, test, and replace.
“It is extremely important that every house have working smoke alarms. And, when an alarm makes noises – a beeping sound or a chirping sound – your must take action,” said Sarah Scoins, MSN, RN, CNS, CCRN, ACCNS-AG, Burn Outreach and Injury Prevention Educator for Parkland Health’s Regional Burn Center. “Knowing the different sounds can save your life.”
Between Oct. 1, 2023 and Sept. 16, 2024, Parkland treated 820 patients with burn injuries in its burn center. Of those, 36% of the patients who were admitted sustained injuries from a fire or flames, and 30% of the patients suffered scald injuries. Other burn injuries included those from chemicals, electrical, contact and smoke inhalation. In 2024 to date, there have been more than 4,500 burn clinic visits. Parkland’s burn center is the only one in North Texas verified for adult and pediatric patients by the American Burn Association and the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma.
According to the NFPA, roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working ones. In addition, more than one-third (38%) of home fire deaths result from fires in which no smoke alarms are present. The risk of dying in a home fire is cut in half in homes with working smoke alarms.
Key smoke alarm safety tips and guidelines include:
- Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of the home, and the garage.
- It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms so that when one smoke alarm sounds, they all sound.
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
- A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire.
- Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or stop responding when tested.
- Make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
For households with residents who are deaf or hard of hearing, Scoins notes there are smoke alarms and alert devices such as strobe lights that flash to alert people when the smoke alarm sounds. Many local Red Cross agencies and municipalities can work with you to install smoke alarms for free if you qualify.
Pillow or bed shakers designed to work with your smoke alarm also can be purchased and installed. These work by shaking the pillow or bed with the smoke alarm sounds. These products can be found online and in stores that sell smoke and CO alarms.
“It’s important that everyone takes the alarms seriously, and especially that they don’t disconnect fire or carbon monoxide detectors,” Scoins said. “Knowing the sounds and taking action could literally save a life.”
For more information about services available at Parkland, please visit www.parklandhealth.org.
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