SMOKE ALARMS FOR PEOPLE WITH IMPAIRED HEARING

9/8/2021 (Permalink)

It is a well-known fact that working smoke alarms save lives and home fire sprinklers keep fires small, giving people more time to escape in a fire.  However, people who are deaf or hearing impaired may not be able to depend on the traditional smoke alarm to alert them to a fire.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends installing smoke alarms in every bedroom.  They should also be outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including a basement.  For added safety, you may interconnect all the smoke alarms, meaning that if one sounds, they all sound.  This gives more people more time to escape.

NFPA OFFERS THE FOLLOWING SAFETY TIPS:

• Smoke alarms and alert devices are available for people who are deaf or hearing impaired.
• Strobe lights flash when the smoke alarm sounds. The lights warn people of a possible fire.
• When people who are deaf are asleep, a pillow or bed shaker can wake them so they can escape. The shaker is activated by the sound of a smoke alarm.
• When people who are hard of hearing are asleep, an alert device that uses a loud, mixed, low-pitched sound can wake them. They may find a pillow or bed shaker helpful.  These devices are triggered by the sound of the smoke alarm.
• Research the products and select the ones that best meet your needs.

WHERE TO FIND EQUIPMENT

There are several companies that offer these types of smoke alarm.  Search home improvement store websites or use a general search engine to look for strobe light smoke alarms.  You may also find smoke alarm accessories such as pillow or bed shakers, transmitters, and receivers.  The NFPA recommends choosing devices that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory.

ALWAYS REMEMBER…

Test all smoke alarms in your home at least once a month using the test button.  Just a few minutes a month may save the life of someone you love.

For further information, please visit https://www.nfpa.org/disabilities