Fire Prevention

Smoke Alarm Preparedness
Hear the Beep Where You Sleep. Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm. - News Release 9/8/15
Location matters when it comes to your smoke alarm. That’s the message behind this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep. Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm!”

Along with firefighters and safety advocates nationwide, the Wrightsville Beach Fire Department is joining forces with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) during Fire Prevention Week, October 4-10, to remind local residents about the importance of having working smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.

“In a fire, seconds count,” said Frank Smith, Fire Chief. “Half of home fire deaths result from fires reported at night between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep. Home smoke alarms can alert people to a fire before it spreads, giving everyone enough time to get out.” According to the latest NFPA research, working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire in half. Meanwhile, 3 out of 5 fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign includes the following smoke alarm messages:
  • Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
  • Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. This way, when one sounds, they all do.
  • Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.
  • Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or sooner if they don’t respond properly.
  • Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarm and understands what to do when they hear it.
  • If the smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside. Go to your outside meeting place.
  • Call the fire department from outside the home.
Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and near every sleeping area and in every bedroom. A working smoke alarm doubles your chances of surviving a home fire.

All fuel-burning heating devices are potential sources of toxic carbon monoxide (CO). To protect your family from CO poisoning, install a CO detector near each sleeping area. Test smoke alarms and CO detectors monthly, and replace the batteries at least once a year.

Fire Prevention
It's Fire Prevention Week. "Protect your Family from Fire! Smoke Alarms Save Lives. If You Smoke… Put it Out. All the Way. Every Time."

Links
Free Smoke Detectors and Fire Extinguishers
In interest of promoting fire safety in our community, The Wrightsville Beach Fire Department is distributing free smoke detectors and fire extinguishers to Town residents and property owners.
A member of the fire department will deliver the equipment and explain the proper procedures for operating it.

Sign up for your delivery appointment today. Call the fire station at 910-256-7920 or email Chief Smith. Quantities are limited, so equipment will be distributed one per residence on a first come, first serve basis. This program is sponsored by the Wrightsville Beach Volunteer Firefighters Association, Inc.

View Fire Department News/Press Releases.