A properly maintained smoke alarm will work forever, right?  Not so fast!

IT’S A FACT: All hardwired or battery-operated smoke alarms, installed before May 2000, should be replaced now!

A smoke alarm’s lifespan is 10 years, which means any smoke alarm installed before May 2000 is too old and needs to be replaced.  The smoke alarm is no longer reliable. Part of smoke alarm maintenance includes knowing when to replace the unit.  The few minutes it takes to replace a smoke alarm can save the lives of roommates, family members, neighbors and firefighters.

More than 3,000 people die in home fires each year, and the majority of them have no working smoke alarms. To prevent these deaths, the United States Fire Administration (USFA) is sponsoring the nationwide Install. Inspect. Protect. Campaign, which emphasizes that “Smoke Alarms Save Lives.” 

The USFA offers a few helpful tips on smoke alarms:

• Every residence, and place where people sleep, should be equipped with both ionization and photoelectric smoke alarms or dual sensor smoke alarms, which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors.
• Place properly installed and maintained smoke alarms both inside and outside of sleeping areas and on every level of your home.
  Interconnected smoke alarms are best, because if one sounds, they all sound.
• Test smoke alarms monthly and change alkaline batteries at least once every year, or as instructed by the manufacturer. You can use a date you already know, like your birthday or when you change your clocks as a reminder.
• Write the installation date on the inside cover of the smoke alarm for future reference.

Homeowners, landlords and renters should check to verify exactly when each smoke alarm in the home was installed.  If any smoke alarm was installed before May 2000, now is the time to have it replaced.

For more smoke alarm information, including powerful radio and video public service announcements go to www.usfa.dhs.gov/campaigns/smokealarms.

Have you ever wondered what firefighters do all day long?  Read this article by Chief Bill Martin to find out.

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Tuesday, June 8, 2010  Members of C Shift responded to Swan Circle for a reported structure fire.  Upon arrival units found smoke showing from the garage area.  The fire had started in a garbage can outside and spread to the side of the house.  Crews extinguished fire that had extended to the attic and checked for extension.  The damage was limited to the garage area of the structure and everyone escaped from the house uninjured.  E-352, E-351, L-360, S-364 and Point Pleasant L-1360 all responded to this incident.

Thursday, June 3, 2010  Members of B Shift responded to the 1100 block of Aviation Blvd for a reported structure fire.  Upon arrival units found two pallets of cardboard on fire that had been moved outside.  The building was filled with smoke and crews investigated finding no further fire.  The fire was quickly extinguished and smoke removed with minimal damage being caused to the business.  E-351, E-352, L-360, S-364, C-375, Airport 974 and 975, and Point Pleasant V-1367 all responded to this incident.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010  Members of A Shift responded to the 2600 block of Berwood Lane for a reported structure fire.  Upon arrival units found nothing showing but the homeowner advised she opened her door and saw smoke and heard the smoke detectors activating.  Upon further investigation units found that a fire had occured in the bedroom and had burned out prior to their arrival.  There was smoke damage throughout the house.  L-360, E-352, C-377, S-364 and Burlington E-701 all responded to this incident.

Saturday, April 24, 2010  Members of A Shift responded to Petersburg Road near KY 212 for a reported accident with extrication.  Upon arrival units found a 2 vehicle accident with 4 patients and no extrication needed.  One patient was transported to University of Cincinnati Hospital by AirCare, the other three by ground.  E-351, E-352, R-374, S-364, Airport S-964, Point Pleasant S-1364 and Burlington S-714 and C-727 all responded to this incident.

Thursday, April 1, 2010  Members of B Shift responded to the 1100 block of Aviation Blvd for a reported structure fire.  Upon arrival units found a fire in a machine inside that had spread to the dust collector.  The building was filled with smoke.  The fire was quickly extinguished and the building was ventilated.  No one was injured in the fire.  E-351, E-352, L-360. R-374, U-367, S-364, C-375, C-376, Point Pleasant L-1360 and V-1367, Erlanger E-51, Burlington E-701 and Kenton County Air 1 all responded to this incident.

Wednesday, March 31, 2010  Members of A Shift responded to Sheridan Drive for a reported structure fire.  Upon arrival units found a small fire in a table saw in the basement of the house.  The fire was quickly extinguished and the house was ventilated.  E-351. E-352, L-360, S-364, C-375 and Point Pleasant L-1360 all responded to this incident.

Friday, March 26, 2010  Members of B Shift responded to the 10.4 mm on Westbound I-275 for a reported vehicle fire.  Upon arrival units found a van fully involved in fire.  The fire was quickly extinguished but the van was a total loss.  E-351 and E-352 both responded to this call.

Sunday, March 14, 2010  Members of B Shift responded to the Ohio River in the area of Taylorsport drive for a reported boat that sank with three victims in the water.  Upon arrival units found that two victims had swam to the shore and removed themselves from the water.  Both victims were transported to the hospital.  Searches were conducted along the shore and in the water for the third victim.  Unfortunately, the third victim was unable to be located and searches are still being conducted due to the high water on the river.  E-352, R-374, S-364, C-376, C-375, Burlington S-714, NKTRT, Boone County Water Rescue, the U.S. Coast Guard and multiple other agencies all responded to this incident.