How to change your smoke detector's batteries

Time to change your smoke detector batteries

The importance of smoke detectors

We've all heard that smoke detectors save lives.  This video shows the speed at which fire grows and how essential it is to have working smoke detectors in your house.

Fire Prevention Week (October 4th to 10th)

Fire Prevention Week 2009 focuses on burn awareness, burn prevention and keeping homes safe from the leading causes of home fires such as cooking. Many families gather in the kitchen to spend time together, but it can be one of the most hazardous rooms in the house if you don't practice safe cooking behaviors. Cooking equipment, most often a range or stovetop, is the leading cause of reported home fires and home fire injuries in the United States. Cooking equipment is also the leading cause of unreported fires and associated injuries.

For tips on Safe Cooking Behaviors click here. 

How fast does fire spread?

Modern synthetic materials help fire to spread very quickly - much quicker than most people realize.  To this end, fire departments have initiated box alarms to get the needed resources dispatched to the fire even BEFORE the chief gets on scene. (Box alarms: Part 1 & Part 2)

Before you watch the video think about how long you think it would take for your living room to be fully involved with fire.  Now click Play and see how close your guess is.

Does something strike you as odd about this video? The absence of smoke alarms makes this simulated situation very dangerous! Your comments about the video would be appreciated.