City of Alpena

News Release of May 20, 2022

OVER 100 SMOKE ALARMS INSTALLED ON ALPENAS’
NORTH SIDE

The City of Alpena Fire Department and American Red Cross

Disaster Services conducted a door-to-door campaign on the
City’s north side yesterday. Firefighters and Red Cross
personnel knocked on 100 doors, asking residents whether or
not they had working smoke alarms in their home, and
CONTACT installing free units where needed.

Bill Forbush Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan. When
Fire Chief
there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give
Andy Marceau you early warning so you can get outside quickly. Firefighters
Community Risk
Reduction Officer offer these additional tips on smoke alarms:

501 W. Chisholm St. • Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
Alpena, MI 49707 • It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When
989-354-1850 one smoke alarm sounds they all sound.
billf@alpena.mi.us
andym@alpena.mi.us • Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the
test button to be sure the alarm is working.
• Today’s smoke alarms will be more technologically
advanced to respond to a multitude of fire conditions,
yet mitigate false alarms.
• A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a
wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to
reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet
from the stove.
• People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special
alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed
shakers.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
Research has shown that another key factor in preventing
home fire deaths is keeping bedroom doors closed when
residents are sleeping. It’s amazing how effective a closed
door is in slowing the spread of smoke and deadly gases
allowing residents to escape. Smoke alarms must be installed
inside and outside bedrooms to give maximum warning.

Thursdays event on the northside lead to the installation of 103

smoke alarms in 35 homes. According to the National Fire
Protection Association, roughly two-thirds of all home fire deaths
happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke
alarms.

Alpena Fire and the Red Cross have partnered in the smoke
alarm initiative for several years, and continue to offer home
safety assessments and installation of new 10-year capable
smoke alarms where needed. City residents can contact
Community Risk Reduction Officer Andy Marceau at 354-
1859 for assistance.
 NFPA reminds you

LARM S Roughly two thirds of home fire deaths

KE A happen in homes with no smoke alarms

SMO E LIVES. or no working smoke alarms

SAV Smoke alarms should be

installed on every level of the
home, outside each sleeping
area and inside each bedroom.

For the best protection,

interconnect all the smoke
alarms so when one sounds,
they all sound.
Replace
smoke alarms
10 years from
the date of
manufacture.

AY
SATURD 5
FRIDAY

Test all smoke alarms

4
AY
THURSD 3
SDAY 12
WEDNE 2
Y 11
TUESDA 1
Y 10
MONDA 19
9
SUNDAY

at least once a month

18
8
17
7 26
16
6 25
15
24
14
23
13
22

by pushing the test button.

21
30
20
29
28
27

When the smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside.
Go to your outside meeting place. Call the fire department from a cell or neighbor’s phone.
Stay outside until the fire department tells you it is safe to go back inside.
©2014 NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATON | 1 BATTERYMARCH PARK, QUINCY, MA 02169 | NFPA.ORG/SMOKEALARMS • SPARKY.ORG