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Smoke Detectors Save Lives
By Fire Marshall Steven M. Kelsey, Goshen
This is a letter that can save lives in the town of Goshen and throughout the entire State of Connecticut.
The simple yet powerful act of changing the batteries in smoke detectors, when you change the clock on October 28, can double a family's chances of getting out of a home fire alive.
As a 25-year veteran of the fire service, I have witnessed firsthand the tragedy and devastation of home fires. It's even more heartbreaking when a young life is cut short. Each day, an average of nearly three children dies in home fires. Overall, between 75 and 80 percent of home fire deaths in this county occur in homes without working smoke detectors.
Considering that a home fire ignites every 85 seconds and fire deaths peak in the winter months, it just makes sense to change your smoke alarm batteries when you change your clocks. Additionally, it is recommended that if your smoke alarms are ten or more years old that they should be replaced.
During these uncertain times in our country, it is extremely important for our citizens to protect themselves at home against an unnecessary tragedy.
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