FIRE OFFICIALS HERE URGE USE OF SMOKE DETECTORS

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- Each year, more than 5,000 Americans die from home fires. Fire officials say many of these deaths could have been prevented with an early warning system, such as smoke detectors and a family fire escape plan.

"A working smoke detector is one of the cheapest and most effective forms of life insurance that's available today," said Cape Girardeau Fire Chief Gene Hindman.

The chief said smoke detectors have been around for about 15 to 20 years and have had significant impact on reducing the number of fire deaths and fire-related injuries.

But Hindman said there are still too many homes and other residences without them. At times, it takes a tragedy to make people more aware of the life-saving capability of smoke detectors.

The chief said there has been a significant increase in interest in smoke detectors in the city since the March 7 residential fire that killed three people in the 700 block of North Spanish. The house was not equipped with smoke detectors.

Fire Department Training Officer Mark Hasheider and the department's fire inspector, Tom Hinkebein, have also received numerous phone calls since the fire from people who want to know more about smoke detectors and how to install them.

Hasheider said the fire department has available, at no charge, a fact-filled booklet, "What Everyone Should Know About Smoke Detectors." Copies can be obtained by calling the fire department, 334-3211, or stopping by the fire department headquarters at Fire Station One, located and Sprigg and Independence.

Hasheider said working smoke detectors save lives. "There's no doubt about," he continued."But the key word here is - working.

"Statistics show that 74 percent of the homes in the United States now have smoke detectors installed in them, but, unfortunately, at any given time, 25 to 35 percent of those smoke detectors are not working for several reasons."

Hasheider said in most cases, the smoke detector is not working because of a dead battery. In many other cases, the battery was taken out to prevent the detector from going off because of smoke from cooking in the kitchen or cigarette smoke.

"Instead of removing the battery, change the location of the smoke detector," he said. "When you hear a detector go off frequently because of kitchen smoke, or some other cause, you know its doing its job. It's just installed in the wrong location."

To remind people to change their smoke detector batteries, the International Association of Fire Chiefs sponsors a program at the start of daylight saving time, in early April, and in late October, when the nation goes back to standard time.

The theme of the program is "Change your clocks, change the batteries in your smoke detectors." This year, daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m., Sunday, April 7.

Hasheider said smoke detectors should be tested at least once a month to make sure the battery is good, and to insure the smoke detection system in operating.

To save lives, smoke detectors must first be installed in the right locations. Hasheider says as a minimum, smoke detectors should be installed in the sleeping areas of adults and children, and in the hallways outside bedrooms, if the doors are shut at night.

Other suggested locations include the kitchen, living and dining areas, and all halls and stairwells. The basement is another ideal location, but not near a furnace exhaust.

Hasheider said smoke that contains lethal gases always rises to the ceiling, then settles toward the bottom of a room. That's why a properly installed smoke detector will provide enough warning time to awaken sleepers so they can escape.

Hasheider said smoldering fires that may burn for hours before flashing up are considered the leading cause of fatalities in residential fires. Fire itself very rarely kills, he said. By the time the flames have reached the victim, the deadly, toxic smoke has already claimed the life.

"It's a very slow process that occurs without warning," Hasheider he continued. "A smoldering fire consumes oxygen as it generates toxic smoke. Death is caused by asphyxiation. If you're asleep when it happens, you never wake up. That's when a smoke detector can save a life."

Hindman said expensive smoke detection systems are not necessary to provide adequate early warning protection in the home. "Elaborate systems are fine, if you want to spend the money," the chief said. "But you can spend $10 to $20 and have adequate protection, too."

According to a survey conducted in several Cape Girardeau retail stores, the low-end price of Underwriters Laboratory-approved smoke detectors ranges from $7.87 to $8.96, while the upper price range for smoke detectors with added features, such as an emergency light, is from $18.84 to $23.77.

Hinkebein says the adoption by the City Council of the 1990 BOCA building code now requires all new single family dwellings, and all new or existing multiple-family dwellings, including apartments and converted houses, to be equipped with smoke detectors in the sleeping areas.

"We receive numerous phone calls from college students, and others, who live in apartments or houses that have been converted into apartments, who want to know if they must have smoke detectors," said Hinkebein. "The answer is yes. No matter how old the building, all apartment buildings, or converted residential structures where two or more families are living, must be equipped with working smoke detectors."

Hinkebein said if there are no smoke detectors in their sleeping areas, tenants should first contact their landlord. If nothing is done, they should contact the fire inspector. "We're very hard-nosed about this because it is the law, and because smoke detectors save lives," he said.

Hindman says smoke detectors make great gifts. He suggests buying one or more for parents, friends, a handicapped person, or others, who may not have a detector.

"A smoke detector is a perfect gift for a family who has everything, except a smoke detector," the chief said. "It could be the most important gift you'll ever give."