Every year people die needlessly in house fires because they have no Smoke
Detectors or the ones they have don’t work or don’t have a good battery.  In 2003,
according to USFA (U.S. Fire Administration) article from 12/2006, fire departments
responded to 388,500 home structure fires in the United States that claimed the
lives of 3,145 people.  The USFA 12/2006 article goes on to say that while working
Smoke Detectors are proven to save lives, 49% of households, over 4 million, still
do NOT have Smoke Detectors!!  Of the ones that DO have Smoke Detectors, 20% have
non working detectors due to dead or missing batteries.

  Smoke Detectors provide an early warning of the fire BEFORE it spreads too far.  Having
this early warning AND an escape plan that is practiced provide the best chance of surviving
a house fire.

  But this all starts with have working Smoke Detectors!!  The batteries need to be
changed twice a year.  The easiest way to remember is that when the clocks are changed for
to Day Light Saving Time in Spring and back to Eastern Standard Time {in our area} in Fall
you should change the batteries!!  The Smoke Detector needs to be tested once a month by
pressing the test button!!

  
The Ridge Fire Company started a new Smoke Detector program 11/2007.  Working in conjunction
with Lowe’s Home Improvement of Pottstown, PA (610)427-6000, we are making available to
families, who qualify, free Smoke Detectors.  These are meant for families/people with low income,
elderly, disabled, etc.
If you know, or are, a family/person who might qualify please contact Ridge Fire Company at;


Ridge Fire Company
Attn: Chaplain
480 Ridge Road
Spring City, PA 19475-9678
(610)495-6063 Phone
(610)495-5106 Fax
Chaplain@RidgeFireCompany.com