MARTINSBURG, W.Va. (April 19, 2024) - The Berkeley County Fire Department is urging residents to take steps to ensure early detection of smoke and fire present in your home.
"It is a matter of life and death," says Chief Martin Roberts. "We want to emphasize the importance of working smoke detectors and having a family evacuation plan in the event of a fire emergency in your home."
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) requires smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside all sleeping areas, and on every level of the home, including the basement. Follow this link to view the West Virginia code on smoke detectors. https://firemarshal.wv.gov/Documents/Smoke%20Detector%20and%20CO%20Statute.pdf
“Some homes in Berkeley County may not have working smoke detectors or any at all. This creates a serious life safety risk. Working smoke detectors save lives!” Roberts says. “We want all residents to understand that national and state codes require smoke alarms in homes and in all bedrooms, not just near them.”
Chief Roberts says properly working smoke detectors can mean the difference between life and death in a fire. According to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire in half. Meanwhile, roughly two-thirds of all home fire deaths result from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
Chief Roberts says that interconnected smoke alarms offer the best protection; when one sounds, they all do. A licensed electrician can install hard-wired multiple-station alarms, or homeowners can install wireless alarms, which manufacturers have more recently begun producing. This is particularly important in larger or multi-story homes, where the sound from distant smoke alarms may be reduced to the point that it may not be loud enough to provide proper warning, especially for sleeping individuals.
“Smoke alarms detect and alert people to fire in its early stages, giving people the time needed to escape safely,” says Chief Roberts. “That’s why it’s so important for every home to have them in all required locations, including bedrooms.”
Berkeley County Fire Department offers the following tips for making sure the smoke alarms in your home are maintained and working properly:
- Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home.
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button, and make sure everyone in your home knows their sound.
- If an alarm “chirps,” warning the battery is low, replace the battery right away.
- Replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they’re ten years old or sooner if they do not respond properly when tested.
Berkeley County and City of Martinsburg residents with questions and/or concerns about the updated smoke alarm requirements may contact a local fire department. If a resident is in need of assistance with obtaining or installing a smoke detector, local fire departments can help. Please contact them using the list below. Individuals can also visit NFPA’s Web site at www.nfpa.org/smokealarms for more information.
Berkeley County Fire Department 304.263.1345
Martinsburg Fire Department 304.264.2111
South Berkeley Volunteer Fire Company 304.229.5377
Hedgesville Volunteer Fire Company 304.754.3662
Bedington Volunteer Fire Department 304.274.2381
Back Creek Valley Volunteer Fire Department 304.229.8992
Baker Heights Volunteer Fire Department 304.263.7755