TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – With recent tragic news of a fire at a Pennsylvania day care that did not have enough working smoke detectors, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is reminding Floridians to check smoke alarms and ensure they are properly installed and maintained to save lives.

CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis said, “There is simply no doubt that smoke alarms save lives. Approximately 40% of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms and dead batteries caused a reported 25% of smoke alarm failures. When properly installed and maintained, smoke alarms drastically reduce the risk of tragedies related to structure fires. Set a reminder to check your smoke alarms regularly throughout the year to ensure they are working properly. It could mean life or death.”

1. Test your smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button on the smoke alarm to be sure the alarm is working.
2. Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one sounds, they all should sound.
3. Consider adding more smoke alarms. Large homes may need extra smoke alarms. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Also, install alarms on every level of your home.
4. Smoke alarms do not last forever. Replace all smoke alarms in your home every 10 years. Look on the back of the device for the manufacture date.