Sedona AZ (October 25, 2016) – The American Red Cross partnered with Sedona Verde Valley Firefighters Charities and Sedona Fire District on a Home Fire Preparedness Campaign. Teaming up with Sunset Village 65 smoke alarms were installed and 25 batteries were replaced in 41 residences. With each visit volunteers asked to test or install smoke alarms. If pre-existing smoke alarms needs batteries, they were replaced; or if there are no smoke alarms, if they are inoperable, or too old, up to 3 smoke alarms were installed in residences that needed them.
During the installation, one volunteer educates the resident on how to maintain the alarm and on home fire prevention. Each install took about 20 minutes. Each team of 3 can cover 50 homes in a 3 hour period. The American Red Cross provides all of the batteries and alarms. Sedona Verde Valley Firefighters Charities and Sedona Fire District volunteers assisted with the installation and education.
“Do you know if your smoke alarm will work when you need it? Time and again, I’ve seen the life-saving impact smoke alarms can have in a home fire, but I’ve also seen the tragedy that can result when smoke alarms aren’t working properly,” says SFD Fire Marshal Gary Johnson. “That’s why we’re partnered with Sedona Verde Valley Firefighters Charities and Sedona Fire District on a Home Fire Preparedness Campaign.”
According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) data: Despite the federal requirements for factory-installed smoke alarms and the fact that eight out of ten manufactured homes and seven out of ten manufactured home fires now involve post-HUD-Standard units (based on 2007-2011 data), 51 percent of fires in manufactured homes were reported as having no smoke alarms present. This suggests a problem with detection devices being removed by occupants.
If you would like more information on the Home Fire Preparedness Campaign, please contact Sedona Fire District Fire Marshal’s office at 928-282-6800.
