On Saturday, May 18th, 2013 at 9:00 A.M., the Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District will be at the Desoto Mobile Home Park, 1219 51st Avenue to offer residents free smoke alarms. On May 4th, 2013, the Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District installed 175 free smoke alarms to the residents of Southern Pine and Bell Grove Mobile Home Parks. About 3,500 citizens die each year in fires and about 20,000 are injured. Many of them might be alive today if they had only learned what to do if there is fire. It is very important to have a working smoking alarm with a working battery in your home. If you have that, it greatly lowers your chances of dying in a fire. Today most alarms need a new battery at least once a year, some smoke alarms have batteries that last for 10 years. If your smoke alarm is over 10 years old, replace it with a new alarm and a new battery. If your smoke alarm is chirping, it is time to replace the battery. Never take the battery out of the alarm to out into other items like games or remote controls. Check your smoke alarms monthly by pressing the test button. If there is a fire, leave your home right away by crawling low under the smoke and never go back inside. Without a doubt smoke alarms save lives and early activation of an alarm allows residents to leave their residence quickly and safely. Unattended cooking fires are the number one cause of residential fires. To learn more about how to prevent fires and about our Smoke Alarm Program, citizens can contact the Southern Manatee Fire Rescue District Fire Prevention Division at 751-7675.
