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Public Safety & Education
Candle SafetyNews
Kidde Recalls TruSense Smoke and Combination Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Alarm
Information Bulletin on Smoke and Co Alarm Requirements
General Information
Smoke alarms, also called smoke detectors, are required by California State Law (Health and Safety Code) in all homes and apartment units. Most older alarms are battery powered. Some alarms are powered by house current, while the newest alarms get their electricity both from the building wiring and a backup battery.
According to NFPA, aging smoke alarms don't operate as efficiently and often are the source for nuisance alarms. Older smoke alarms are estimated to have a 30% probability of failure within the first 10 years. Newer smoke alarms do better, but should be replaced after 10 years. Unless you know that the smoke alarms are new, replacing them when moving into a new residence is also recommended by NFPA.
Smoke alarms, when properly installed, give an early audible warning needed to safely escape from fire. That's critical because 85% of all fire deaths occur in the home, and the majority occur at night when most people are sleeping. Last year, NFPA documented 3,420 home fire deaths.
Fully 94% of U.S. homes had at least one smoke alarm as of 1997, according to NFPA, but as of 1998, 40% of the home fires reported to U.S. fire departments and 52% of home fire deaths still occurred in the small share of homes with no smoke alarms. Half of the deaths from fires in homes equipped with smoke alarms resulted from fires in which the smoke alarm did not sound--usually when batteries were dead, disconnected or missing. "Simple steps like maintaining smoke alarms and replacing older ones help diminish the possibility of fire deaths in the home," says John R. Hall, Jr., NFPA's assistant vice president for fire analysis and research. "Smoke alarms in the home are largely responsible for the decreasing number of home fire deaths over the last decades."
El Dorado County Smoke Alarm/Carbon Monoxide Requirements
New Requirements for Smoke Alarms - updated 02/12/15
Types of Smoke Alarms
There are two types of smoke alarms (photo-electric and ionization); each type has its advantages and disadvantages. If you are experiencing nuisance alarms (from cooking, etc.), changing the type of smoke alarm could reduce the number of these alarms.
Placement of Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms are intended to notify people of an impending fire where they sleep. Smoke alarms should not be installed in garages or in the kitchen, since this will surely result in nuisance alarms.
Smoke alarms should be installed in each sleeping room, and in the room or hallway leading to the sleeping room. The device may be installed anywhere on the ceiling but at least 6 inches from the wall. Alarms also may be installed high on the wall, within 6 inches and 12 inches of the ceiling.
In dwellings built after the mid-1990s, all smoke alarms are interconnected electrically. When one alarm senses smoke, it causes all the alarms to sound.
What to do if a smoke alarm sounds
You should assume that the sound from a smoke alarm is informing you of a fire. Investigate the source of the smoke. If there is a fire, leave your house or apartment immediately, find a phone and call 9-1-1.
If there is smoke but no hostile fire, eliminate the source of the smoke, then "fan" the alarm to purge it of smoke. Some alarms have a temporary silence or "hush" button, which can be pushed to reduce the sensitivity of the device for about 5 minutes. Do NOT remove the alarm battery to stop the alarm.
If your alarm is sounding for no reason, call the Fire Department at 916-933-6623 for assistance.
Alarms will "chirp" every 30 seconds or so when the battery is almost dead. This sound will persist for several days. When you hear this chirp, change your to battery. Better yet, change the batteries twice a year. This way, you will never hear the low battery signal!
Additional Information
How do I change a smoke detector battery?
Bicycle helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of head injury by as much as 85% and the risk of brain injury by as much as 88%. Bicycle helmets offer substantial protection to the forehead and the mid-face area. Research has been done to prove that an estimated 75% of bicycle-related fatalities among children can be prevented with a bicycle helmet. The universal use of bicycle helmets by children ages 4 to 15 can prevent an estimated 135 deaths and 39,000 to 45,000 head injuries, as well as 18,000 to 55,000 scalp and face injuries annually.
Children are more likely to wear their bicycle helmet if riding with their peers or an adult who is wearing their helmet. Bike related crashes have killed over 900 people annually. Most of the accidents happen from noon to midnight among young liders under the age of 16 years old. About 7 times as many bicycle deaths are males compared with females. The most common deaths and bike injuries for children are from the ages of 13 and 15 years of age. Motor vehicles are involved in 90% to 92% of bicyclist deaths and 12% of injuries. The typical bicycle and motor vehicle crash occurs within one mile from home on minor rural back roads.
The current helmet laws require a person under 18 years of age to wear a helmet. A passenger without a properly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet that meets the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or the SNELL standards for protective headgear may be given a warning or a monetary citation by a law enforcement agency. If the child is cited, they will require a parent or guardian to attend their court hearing and loose a day of employment. Please, buckle up your safety helmet!
It is a very serious matter for children and adults alike to wear their bike helmets. Bike Helmets have been shown to save lives and prevent some head injuries. For more information you may log on to National Highway Traffic and Safety Association (NHTSA).
For more information on local bike safety and bike rodeo's please contact your local Public Health Department, Kids In Safe Seats (KISS) program at (530) 621-6194, Community Health Library (530) 295-1056, or EDC Public Library (530) 621-5540.
A child is a precious gift, guard and protect them with love and knowledge.
Emergencies can happen anywhere at anytime. It's crucial to be prepared before disaster strikes - here is a link to help you prepare to keep your family, business and home safe: CalOES website
A wide variety of emergencies may cause an evacuation. In some instances you may have a day or two to prepare, while other situations might call for an immediate evacuation. Planning ahead is vital to ensuring that you can evacuate quickly and safely, no matter what the circumstances. View this attached document for information on Preparing for an Evacuation.