Facts and figures

A survey from 2004 found that 96% of the homes surveyed had at least one smoke alarm. Roughly half of home fire deaths occur in the small pecentage of homes with no smoke alarms. In 25% of fires in homes with smoke alarms, the smoke alarms did not work. The most common reason for the failure of a smoke alarm is a missing, disconnected, or dead battery.

Smoke Alarms/Detectors -

Smoke detectors are vital to alerting occupants of a fire in their residence. During difficult economic times, the Oak Creek Fire Department would like to make sure that all citizens have access to smoke detectors. The Fire Department has a limited number of smoke detectors available.

If you would like to request a smoke detector, please contact Lieutenant Scott Kasten.

Smoke alarm installation and maintenance tips:

• Choose a smoke alarm that bears the label of a recognized testing laboratory.



• Install smoke alarms on every level of the home and outside all sleeping areas.



• For added safety, install smoke alarms in every room where people sleep.



• To increase safety, have a qualified electrician install hard-wired, interconnected smoke alarms so that when one sounds, they all sound.



• Install a new battery in all smoke alarms at least once a year. Install a new battery immediately if an alarm “chirps” to indicate a low battery.



• Replace smoke alarms that use extended-life, lithium batteries when the alarm “chirps” or fails to respond to periodic testing. The batteries in these units cannot be replaced.



• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.



• Test smoke alarms every month. Use the test button, or an approved smoke substitute, and clean the units, according to manufacturer’s instructions. Do not use an open-flame device to test the alarm.



• Special smoke alarms are made for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. These alarms use strobe lights. Vibrating devices may also help in some cases.

Source: NFPA and NIFRS survey data