Dangers
About 3,000 people in the United States lose their lives in residential fires every year. Most fire victims die from the inhalation of toxic gases and smoke, not as a result of burns, and most fire deaths occur at night while the victims are asleep.
Life Saving
Working smoke alarms can double the chance of survival in a house fire by warning residents when there's still time to escape. Smoke alarms save lives, prevent injuries and minimize property damage by providing an early warning to a potentially deadly fire. A working smoke alarm is one of the best and least expensive means of warning residents about a fire.
Locations
Install a smoke detector on each level of your home near stairwells and bedrooms to maximize protection. Change the batteries on smoke detectors when you change your clocks to or from daylight saving time, and test them once a month. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation and never take the battery out for other uses.
Maintenance
If a battery-powered smoke alarm begins to chirp, the battery should be replaced immediately with a new one.
Free Smoke Detector Program
The City of Quitman Fire Department will provide and install a free smoke detector to any City of Quitman resident living within the city of linits. The department also will install replacement batteries in existing smoke detectors at no charge. For a free smoke detector or to arrange to have the batteries in an existing device replaced, call (229) 263-4311.
Smoke Alarms
