El Paso Fire Dept: Knowing the sounds of your smoke alarm could save your life

EL PASO, Texas -- Emergencies can come when we least expect them. As temperatures start to drop and you begin to turn on your heater, the El Paso Fire Department wants you to make sure you have a plan in place in case a fire breaks out.

EPFD says it starts seeing in uptick in fires when kids are on long breaks and even more so during the holiday season.

One of the biggest tips EPFD says could be the difference between a life and death situation, is getting to know the sounds of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Both alarms make either beeping or a chirping sound.

• If you hear a single chirp every 30 to 60 seconds that means the battery's on your alarms are low.
• If it keeps chirping that means it's time to replace the alarm, which need to be replaced every 10 years.
• If you hear a three loud beeps continuously that means there's smoke or a fire in your home and you should immediately get out, find a safe place, and call 9-1-1.

"We recommend everybody have a smoke alarm in their home, smoke alarm or carbon monoxide alarm," said Lt. Juan Acuña with the El Paso Fire Department. "Smoke alarms, we suggest to have in every bedroom, or hallway and every level of their home. Also, we don't recommend them to install the smoke alarm in the kitchen or bathroom."

For those who are hearing impaired or deaf, the fire department says there are special bed shaker and strobe alarms that are available to them in case of an emergency.

Don't forget the El Paso Fire Department can provide you or anyone you know with a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm free of charge.

All you have to do is fill out this form or call 311.