SCHINNEN, Netherlands - A U.S. family stationed in Germany were startled by the 'beeping' of their smoke detector before bedtime in October 2009 to discover that a charger plugged in to a vehicle accessory outlet overheated, caught fire and roasted the interior of the family minivan. The fire was detected before it could spread into the house.
A year later, the pain of a lost vehicle and the sound of a shrieking smoke detector is nothing compared to what could have happened.
Home fires claim a life every three hours in the United States, according to the U.S. Federal Government. Every thirty minutes someone is injured.
A little initiative and less than $15 can ensure your encounter with a fire is like the one described here and October, which is Fire Prevention month, is a perfect time to do it.
Each year fire prevention officials echo three major barriers to preventing deaths and injuries in home fires to the public. A first barrier to preventing home fire deaths is the lack of smoke detectors.
Retail stores in the tri-border region as well as on-base retail facilities sell smoke detectors for $15 or less. Having one smoke detector is good, but often three or more can combine to provide excellent protection to larger homes.
If you're assigned to U.S. government leased quarters, then detectors are pre-installed at no cost and, just like on commercial airlines, cannot be tampered with. To resolve nuisance alarms or to service a smoke detector, call the Directorate of Emergency Service Office, +31(0)46-4437230.
The second barrier to preventing fire injuries or deaths is a lack of information.
"Smoke detectors are a very important device that can warn individuals or families to a fire hazard and save lives. Smoke detectors may not prevent fires, but they detect smoke, warn that a fire is imminent, and give occupants a chance to escape injury or worse. Smoke and fire can spread quickly and be very deadly. Fifteen dollars, often less from what I've seen for smoke detectors, is a small price to pay to protect your own life and the lives of others," Rob Walraven, USAG Schinnen Fire Chief said.
The third barrier, and likely the most significant, is inspiring every individual to make sure they have smoke detectors installed with fresh, working batteries.
"An excellent universal habit is to change batteries to smoke detectors twice a year when daylight savings time takes effect," Walraven said.
Daylight-saving time will occur in Europe Oct. 31 when clocks are turned back one hour. Daylight-saving time occurs Nov. 7 in the U.S. So, amid preparations for Trunk or Treat and other Halloween fun, be sure to spare some expense on candy and purchase smoke detectors (if you do not already have them), install fresh batteries, and ensure old batteries are discarded properly.
The SORTS Center on USAG Schinnen accepts old batteries and there is a small battery collection bin near the front door of the Schinnen Commissary.
October is Fire Prevention Month and with access to smoke detectors, informed about their importance and inspired to take action, you're ready to embrace the National Fire Protection Association's official theme which is: "Smoke Alarms: A Sound You Can Live With!" Smoke detectors really do save lives. Make sure your smoke detector is ready to save yours today.
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