Smoke Detectors Vital To Cutting Down On Fire Deaths

by Rachel Abell

EL PASO — Nearly 6,000 people in the U.S. are killed every year as a result of fire — more than the combined number of people that die in earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, and hurricanes.

Officials say the most disturbing aspect of those figures is that most of those deaths can be prevented.

The simple task of having a fire detector handy and with good batteries will help solve this problem, officials said.

Back in November of 2007, a tragic fire claimed the life of 3-year-old Jasmine Carrera. The toddler and her father were inside their home on Van Buren Avenue in Central El Paso when it went up in flames.

Fire officials said a space heater ignited some combustible materials and started the massive fire. The father managed to survive the incident but he suffered serious injuries. Fire investigators said the home did not have any working smoke detectors.

Officials with the El Paso Fire Department asking all El Pasoans to take a few extra minutes each day to make sure your home’s fire detector is working properly.

Here are some helpful tips:

– Change the batteries in your smoke alarms once a year.

– Check the alarms monthly by pushing the test button

– Teach your kids what the alarm sounds like and what they should do if they hear it

– Practice an escape route with them in your home and those of relatives

– Do not borrow the smoke detectors battery for other uses around the house

– Make sure you have a smoke alarm on every floor of the house and outside bedrooms