Columbus Fire Department

Media Release

8/23/17

 

Columbus Lowe’s Home Improvement Store Donates 30 Smoke Alarms to Fire Department

The Columbus Fire Department received a donation of 30 battery powered smoke alarms from the Columbus Lowe’s Store on Monday, August 21, 2017. The smoke alarms will be provided to families who are currently without working smoke alarms as an ongoing effort by the Columbus Fire Department to prevent fire-related deaths and reduce damages to property caused by domestic fires.

Lowe’s Store Manager, Chris Johnson, said that his store was happy to assist the fire department by providing the donation of alarms.  Columbus Firefighters met with store management and employees to thank them for their generous contribution to the safety of the community. “We are happy to do it,” , said store manager Chris Johnson. “For a project like this, we have the opportunity to do the right thing for the right people,” Johnson said.  Johnson said that his team is always eager to be involved in the community. For the past two years Lowe’s has partnered with the Columbus Police and Fire Departments in providing a venue for the annual City of Columbus Public safety Family Fun Day event. This event, held in the Lowe’s parking lot, is a free community event where community member have the opportunity to learn more the City’s emergency services providers and equipment.

Department Chief Mike Compton states, “This donation comes at a time when our on-hand supply of alarms has been depleted. We are very appreciative of Lowe’s generosity.” Chief Compton adds that the department relies on donations to be able to provide smoke alarms to families in need.  “When our supply is gone, we’ll have to seek more donations.”

To date for the year, the Columbus Fire Department has responded to 19 residential fires causing damages to property of at least $1000. Of those incidents, 8 homes did not have working smoke alarms.

Working smoke alarms provide early detection of fire and may allow the limited time needed to safely escape a home or building fire. Working smoke alarms are an important tool to protect you and your family. In addition to working alarms, the Columbus Fire Department recommends that every family create and practice a home fire escape drill.

For residents in need of a working smoke alarm, alarms are available at the Columbus Fire Department Administrative offices – 1101 Jackson Street, Columbus In, 47201, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.- 4 p.m.  If members of the community would like to donate a new smoke alarm to the Columbus Fire Department, smoke alarm donations may be dropped off at the Columbus Fire Department Administrative offices – 1101 Jackson Street, Columbus In, 47201, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m.- 4 p.m.

The Columbus Fire Department provides this information on what you need to know about smoke alarms:

Smoke alarms should be installed in sleeping rooms, outside sleeping rooms and on each level of the home, including the basement.

  • Smoke alarms should be interconnected so that when one alarms sounds, they all sound.
  • Test alarms each month.
  • Change your clocks; change your smoke alarm battery.
  • Mark the date of installation on smoke alarms battery to ensure that the alarm’s battery in never over 12 months old.
  • Smoke alarms that are 10 years old should be replace with a completely new smoke alarm.
  • On the national average, three of every five home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or non-working alarms.

Fire Statistics According to the National Fire Protection Association:

In 2015, there were 1,345,500 fires reported in the United States. These fires caused 3,280 civilian deaths, 15,700 civilian injuries, and $14.3 billion in property damage.

  • 501,500 were structure fires, causing 2,685 civilian deaths, 13,000 civilian injuries, and $10.3 billion in property damage.
  • 204,500 were vehicle fires, causing 500 civilian fire deaths, 1,875 civilian fire injuries, and $1.8 billion in property damage.
  • 639,500 were outside and other fires, causing 95 civilian fire deaths, 825 civilian fire injuries, and $252 million in property damage.

The 2015 U.S. fire loss clock a fire department responded to a fire every 23 seconds. One structure fire was reported every 63 seconds.

  • One home structure fire was reported every 86 seconds.
  • One civilian fire injury was reported every 34 minutes.
  • One civilian fire death occurred every 2 hours and 40 minutes.
  • One outside and other fire was reported every 52 seconds.
  • One highway vehicle fire was reported every 3 minutes 1 second.

Source: National Fire Protection Association Website (NFPA)

http://www.nfpa.org/news-and-research/fire-statistics-and-reports/fire-statistics/fires-in-the-us