Palm Beach County
Fire Rescue
“Sound the ALARM!
​The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has declared the 2014 theme for Fire Prevention Week, which runs from October 5-11 this year. The theme is “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives. Test Yours Every Month!” Firefighters are urging residents to check their smoke alarms and to make sure the batteries are fresh. 

According to the NFPA, having a working smoke alarm in the home cuts the risk of dying in a fire in half. On average, each year three out of five home fire deaths result from fires where there is either no smoke alarm or no working smoke alarm.


The NFPA recommends: 

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Having a smoke alarm inside every bedroom
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Have a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area
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Have a smoke alarm on every level of the home
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Test smoke alarms every month by using the test button
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Replace all smoke alarms every 10 years or sooner if they don’t respond properly when tested or the manufacturer’s date shows that it is expired.
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Fire Prevention Week occurs annually in October during the week in which October 9 falls to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, however Fire Prevention Practices and Safety Presentations typically continue during the entire month of October of each year.
​Fire-Rescue FASTFacts
What about smoke alarms for the hearing impaired? Are there special products available for that?
Smoke alarms and alert devices, called accessories, are available for people who are hearing impaired. These alert devices include:
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High Density Strobe lights throughout the home that are activated by smoke alarms
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Pillow or bed shaker system that is activated by smoke alarms for when you are sleeping with your hearing aid sitting on the nightstand.
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Smoke alarm alert devices, called accessories, produce a loud, mixed low-pitched sound.
Recent research has shown that a loud, mixed low-pitched sound is more effective for waking people of all ages than the loud high-pitched sound of a traditional smoke alarm. As people age, the ability to hear and process high-frequency tones deteriorates as the hair cells in your middle ear degenerate over time.
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Find out through this interactive QUIZ but clicking hear!
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Please share this information with your community and neighbors because together, we can make a difference. Until next time, test your smoke alarms, replace your batteries and most of all…take care of each other.
“Patriot Day”
Each year we gather to memorialize and reflect back on those that gave it all to save others on 9/11/01. In the Unites States this is officially observed under the title “Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance”,however most folks refer to it simply as 9/11or Patriot Day.
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Has it always been called Patriot Day?
On the initial anniversaries following that tragic day, 9/11 was referred to as a Prayer and Remembrance Day for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001. This was not an official name since the initial idea was to name it Patriot Day in the months following the attacks as evidenced by the national surge in patriotism that was observed when our citizens bonded together, gave generously to the victim’s families and to each other. Citizens everywhere flew their stars & stripes proudly upon their place of residences and on their vehicles.
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Even though President George W. Bush signed a resolution into law in December of that same year, it wasn’t till later that declaring September 11thof each year as Patriot Day would begin to take shape in the hearts and minds of the American people.
Wasn’t there another day already declared as Patriot Day in America?
Technically, yes there was another day named Patriot’s(with an “S”) Dayalready in use in the state of Massachusetts. In 1894, Governor Greenhalge declared a public holiday to commemorate the dates of the Lexington & Concord battles of The American Revolution as Patriot’s Day, which was also observed by the states of Wisconsin and Maine. The Federal version of the named day: Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembranceis not an official holiday and therefore government offices, public schools and post offices all remain open on September 11thas it is a discretionary holiday.
What is Patriot Day for?
When the name Patriot Day was newly declared for 9/11 there was, at first, opposition since there was already a Patriot’s Day in the previously mentioned states. 9/11 is a day to honor, reflect and remember those service men and women that fought to defend our country in those tragic hours and for all our public servants that ran into harms way in order to assist those that were trying to escape. The day is also a time to be thankful for all those currently serving in the armed forces and for our public servants that continue to protect, provide and serve us each and everyday. These include our police, paramedics, and our firefighters serving everywhere.
Should we celebrate the acts of terror by rebroadcasting the events of 9/11 on TV each year?
Patriot Day on 9/11 is a time to reflect and remember the good and wholesome of America’s people, our virtues and the high cost we pay for the freedom we enjoy everyday. It is important that we take pause to remember those that lost their lives that day to preserve this and with special recognition to those that gave their lives to save others.
Patriot’s Day & National Day of Service and Remembrance is a discretionary day of remembrance, meaning that a special designation has been set aside for it on September 11thof each year through the proclamation of The President of The United States of America each year.
What does this presidential decree call for each year regarding Patriot Day?
The presidential request is to issue each year a decree and proclamation calling all states, local governments and the people of the United States to observe appropriate programs, ceremonies, remembrance gatherings and activities in honor of Patriot’s Day and to those that lost their lives on September 11th, 2001. It includes a call for the White House, all government buildings and facilities to display the US Flag at Half-staff as well as encourages all private individuals at American homes to display their flags. Additionally, the proclamation calls for the observation of a moment of silence, preferably at 8:46 AM (Eastern Daylight Time), which marks the time that the first plane flew into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City.
Let us NEVER FORGET those that gave it all on 9/11/01 and those that continue to work tirelessly to preserve the freedom, safety and security that we enjoy each day. Until next time, be safe and watch out for each other and our communities.
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Doug McGlynn
Professional Firefighters/Paramedics of Palm Beach County
HOA Community Relations
dmcglynn@iaff2928.com
(561) 969-0729 – O
PBC Firefighters YouTube, click here
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