Our Opinion: Sounding the alarm on fire safety

Do your smoke alarms work?

Did you disconnect the battery after accidentally triggering the alarm? Are you procrastinating in replacing dead batteries? Do you lack a smoke alarm in each room where one is needed?

If so, you literally are playing with fire.

The theme of this year's Fire Prevention Week, observed through Saturday, is "Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month!"

The description adjective, working, is intentional, as is the active verb, test.

The simple action of testing smoke alarms and replacing batteries, as needed, can save lives.

"People need to understand how crucial smoke detectors are in fire safety and do all they can to have them in the home," said Acting State Fire Marshal Greg Carrell. "Most home fire deaths occur where there are no working smoke alarms and about half of those deadly fires happen at night when people are asleep."

To be sure smoke alarms are working, fire safety officials encourage monthly testing, as well as replacing batteries at least annually. An established procedure is to change batteries each year during the return to Standard Time, when clocks are set back one hour, which occurs this year at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 2.

Safety officials also recommend smoke alarms be installed in every bedroom, outside all sleeping areas and on every level of the home, including the basement.

In connection with this year's observance, the Jefferson City Fire Department has been teaming with Lowe's employees to install smoke alarms and replace batteries.

In addition, Missouri's Division of Fire Safety suggests creating and practicing a family fire safety plan that includes home fire escape routes and establishing a location outside the home where family members are to meet if they become separated.

Although prevention is the best defense, accidents happen and fires will occur. When they do, a working smoke alarm provides a wake-up signal that could make a life-saving difference.