One of the most important safety devices a home can have is a smoke detector. Studies show that most home fires occur during the night when occupants are asleep. Once a fire breaks out, people inside have just minutes to get out safely. Sometimes it takes less than five minutes for occupants to succumb to smoke fumes and other hazardous substances in the air.
Early detection of a fire is key to getting out safely. And that’s where smoke detectors come in. Having a working smoke detector is the single most important fire safety warning system for homeowners.
To help make the homes of Douglas and Coffee County safer, the Red Cross, along with local volunteers, installed smoke detectors last Saturday throughout the community. According to Larry NeSmith, local Red Cross coordinator, the group installed 79 smoke detectors. “We are pleased to make a difference in the lives of so many people in our community. We hope the residents of these homes never have to rely on these smoke detectors. But if a fire does happen, we know they’re much safer now,” said NeSmith.