Smoke detectors save lives, and you can get them for free

HENDERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — Smoke detectors are something you never want to go off, but when they do, they can really help you out.

Henderson County Fire Chief Lynn Murphy says they have saved lives locally in Henderson County. They have gone 11 years without a fire fatality.

However, he says they prevent even more than that.

“It also has reduced even the number of fires that have occurred,” Chief Murphy said. “In the last four to five year average, the number of residential fires has reduced drastically.”

Chief Murphy says they have almost cut the number of annual fires in half. So what is causing this change in the amount of fires over the last ten or so years? Smoke detectors have been around for longer than that.

In 2012, the State of Tennessee launched their “Get alarmed” program. Your local fire department can provide you with these smoke alarms for free.

“As far as obtaining the alarms under the state-wide program, you just contact your local fire department and request the alarms through them,” Murphy said.

If you are unsure of how to install the alarms, or are physically incapable, you do not have to worry.

“Most departments will go out and install these alarms for free,” Murphy said.

Chief Murphy tells us when we need to change our alarms and get new ones.

“Manufacturers recommend that smoke alarms actually be changed out every ten years,” said Murphy. “Although they have a test button that can be pushed to test the alarm, still that doesn’t mean the alarm is as effective as it should be.”

These smoke detectors that you could get from your local fire department come with a 10-year battery.

Chief Murphy also said that it is important to have an alarm on every level of your house, and especially in your utility rooms where your washer and dryers is, as well as your hot water heater.

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