Atlantic Beach Fire Department is committed to Safety, Fire Prevention, and Public Education. This page contains information about how to keep you and your family safe.
Fire Prevention Week Annually in October
This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Don’t Wait – Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years,” represents the final year of our three-year effort to educate the public about basic but essential elements of smoke alarm safety.
Why focus on smoke alarms three years in a row? Because NFPA’s survey data shows that the public has many misconceptions about smoke alarms, which may put them at increased risk in the event of a home fire. For example, only a small percentage of people know how old their smoke alarms are, or how often they need to be replaced.
As a result of those and related findings, we’re addressing smoke alarm replacement this year with a focus on these key messages:
- Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.
- Make sure you know how old all the smoke alarms are in your home.
- To find out how old a smoke alarm is, look at the date of manufacture on the back of the alarm; the alarm should be replaced 10 years from that date.
To learn more about the “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month!” campaign, visit NFPA’s Web site at www.firepreventionweek.org and www.sparky.org/fpw
To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in Atlantic Beach, please contact the Atlantic Beach Fire Department at 252-726-7361.
Chief Michael Simpson
Atlantic Beach Fire Department
GENERAL FIRE SAFETY TIPS
- Keep children away from open flames and electrical receptacles.
- Make sure your smoke detector is maintained and working properly. Have a smoke detector on every level of your home.
- Keep your emergency numbers near the telephone.
- Always call the fire department for any fire, even if the fire has been completely extinguished.
TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF A FIRE!
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- GET LOW AND GO!
- Planning is the key to a fast and safe exit from a fire. Do it today, don’t wait until a fire occurs.
- Start by drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room; especially the sleeping areas. If you live in a two-story house, you may want to invest in a fire safety ladder, available at most hardware stores.
- Have a meeting place outside of our home for everyone to go to after they have gotten out of the home. (tree, mailbox, etc.)
- Practice your escape plan! Have a fire drill just like you children do in school. Make it as realistic as possible. Pretend the lights are out and the house is filling up with smoke. Remember to stay low and crawl under the smoke touching the doors with the backs of you hand to check for heat before opening the door. Remember not to open a hot door! Go to another exit instead.
- If you live in an apartment, use the stairs where necessary and never use an elevator, as it may get stuck between floors or worse, take you to the floor of the fire.
- Be Prepared. Make sure everyone in your family understands the escape route and knows what to do. Remember, get out first, then call 911 at a neighbors house. NEVER GO BACK INTO A BURNING STRUCTURE ONCE YOU HAVE ESCAPED!