Working smoke alarms save lives

There were two fire fatalities in Walla Walla in 2019, both in homes without working smoke detectors. Working smoke alarms save lives.

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The majority of fatal home fires happen at night, and the smell of smoke will not always wake you up. In fact, smoke and poisonous gases can put you into a deeper sleep. Home smoke alarms can wake you up in time to escape. They are inexpensive and easy to install, and save lives. 

Tips for proper smoke alarm use

• Buy an approved smoke alarm that has an independent testing lab label.
• Install one smoke alarm in each sleeping area on each level of your home.
• Smoke rises, so alarms are meant to be mounted high on a wall or on the ceiling.
• Make sure everyone sleeping in your home can hear your smoke alarms. We suggest you test alarms monthly.
• Replace batteries at least twice a year.
• Smoke alarms wear out. Know the age of your alarms and replace alarms that are more than 10 years old.

Contact Us

Jason Strang, WWFD Fire Inspector: jstrang@wallawallawa.gov, 509-524-4604
Tim Thompson, WWFD Fire Inspector: tthompson@wallawallawa.gov, 509-524-4603

Need information about smoke alarms?

Keeping our community safe is our first priority. Walla Walla Fire Department staff can answer your questions about smoke alarm placement, batteries, etc. Call 509-524-4610 for more information.

Does your home have working smoke alarms?

There were two fire fatalities in Walla Walla in 2019, both in homes without working smoke alarms. Working smoke alarms save lives.

• 60% of structure fires in Walla Walla in 2019 took place in homes without smoke alarms or without working alarms (most often due to bad or missing batteries).
• 83% of fires in Walla Walla homes without smoke alarms were classified as “moderate” to “significant” damage to the structure.
• 75% of fires in Walla Walla homes with smoke alarms were “out on arrival” or limited to “minor” damage to the structure.

Proper use of smoke alarms

• Test all the smoke alarms in your home at least once a month by pushing the test button.
• Replace smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or if they don’t sound when tested.
• Some people, especially children and older adults, may need help to wake up. Make sure someone will wake them if the smoke alarm sounds.
• When a smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside. Go to your outside meeting place.
• Call 911 from a cellphone or a neighbor’s phone. Stay outside until the Fire Department says it’s safe to go back inside.

Hear the beep where you sleep

Half of home fire deaths happen between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., when most people are asleep.

• Install a smoke alarm in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every  level of the home, including the basement. Larger homes may need more alarms.
• It’s best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one sounds, they all sound.
• Mount smoke alarms on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the alarms. They should at least 10 feet away from the stove.

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