Sheridan Fire and Rescue will Assist with Fire Alarm Battery Replacement

According to the National Fire Prevention Association, smoke alarms were present in three-quarters (74%) of the reported home fires from 2018 to 2022. Nearly three out of five (59%) home fire deaths were caused by fires in properties with no smoke alarms (43%) or smoke alarms that failed to operate (16%).

Sheridan Fire And Rescue Chief Gary Harnish appeared on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse to remind the public to check the batteries in every smoke alarm in their residence twice a year. 

Harnish urges the public to have a smoke alarm in every room someone sleeps in and at the bare minimum, one on every floor of a residence. 

Chief G. Harnish 

When placing smoke alarms avoid bathrooms, kitchens and hallway locations near bathrooms. In the Chief’s experience, he has seen homeowners remove batteries from alarms or the alarms entirely due to the frequency of “nuisance alarms” caused by steam in these locations.    

While checking the smoke alarm’s battery, the Chief said to also check the date on the tag of the smoke alarm and promptly replace any alarm older than 10 years.

Chief G. Harnish 

The Chief reminded the public that not only is Sheridan Fire and Rescue happy to supply smoke alarms to any resident who cannot for any reason replace the smoke alarms in their home, they are also happy to help install them.