State Farm gives to OVFD for Fire Prevention Month

Johnny Moore of State Farm Insurance in Olney donated educational material to the Olney Volunteer Fire Department to promote Fire Prevention Week and National Fire Prevention Month in October. Mr. Moore handed over pamphlets bringing attention to the need to install and regularly test home smoke alarms to OVFD Chief Clint Pulliam.

Newly released survey findings show nearly all U.S. households now have at least one smoke alarm, but 61 percent test them less often than recommended, the State Farm materials said.

According to the latest “Smoke Alarms in the U.S.” report from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), working smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by 60 percent, while the majority of civilian home fire deaths continue to occur in homes with no smoke alarms or no working alarms.

Nearly all U.S. households (99 percent) report having at least one smoke alarm, which reflects a significant increase from 88 percent in 1994, the report said. But 61 percent test their smoke alarms less frequently than recommended – at least once a month – and a third say they never test their smoke alarms, the report said.

Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, such as a hallway, and on each level of the home, including the basement.

Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 6-12 and this year’s theme is “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!”