Changing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year is one of the simplest, most effective ways to reduce these tragic deaths and injuries. In fact, working smoke alarms nearly cut in half the risk of dying in a home fire. This is particularly important for those most at risk of dying in a home fire, such as children and seniors. Tragically, fire can kill selectively. Fire is the third leading cause of accidental deaths among children under age five, placing them at twice the risk of dying in a home fire.
Many seniors are unable to escape quickly.
These same households often rely on poorly installed, maintained or misused portable or area heating equipment - a main cause of fatal home fires. Lake Dillon Fire-Rescue was called to the Dillon Mall for a fire in Alexis Hair Design. Fourteen firefighters responded with 3 engines and 1 rehabilitation vehicle to the scene. Once there, firefighters found one sprinkler head in the unit had extinguished the fire. This saved thousands of dollars in property as well as potentially saving lives, as the fire was located next to the Rocky Mountain Montessori School.