Santa Fe, NM – The New Mexico State Fire Marshal’s Office, Valencia County, and various local fire departments are partnering with the Red Cross to install smoke alarms in more than 200 households during the month of October. Officials will install smoke alarms in 96 Valencia County homes throughout the week of October 3rd, and they are working on similar plans to install alarms in the City of Santa Fe and the Town of Bernalillo later this month.
These efforts parallel national Fire Prevention Week, which is observed each year during the week of October 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire. Additionally, Governor Lujan Grisham signed a proclamation in August declaring October 3rd to October 9th of 2021 as Fire Prevention Week throughout New Mexico.
The Fire Prevention Week theme for 2021 is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety,” which encourages people to test their alarms every month and learn the differences between warnings for low batteries, smoke, and carbon monoxide. According to the National Fire Prevention Association, nearly 60% of home fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarm or smoke alarms that fail to operate.
“In a joint voice between Valencia County and all of its municipalities, we remind the public to install smoke alarms in your home, change the batteries twice a year, know two ways out, and in the event of a fire get out and stay out,” said Jason Gonzales, Fire Marshal and Emergency Manager for the Village of Los Lunas. “With your help, we can make Valencia County a safer place.”
“Home fires are the primary disaster that the Red Cross supports,” said Red Cross Disaster Specialist Lucas Brooks. “They happen all the time right in our communities. It’s simple, smoke alarms save lives!”
“The State Fire Marshal’s Office appreciates this opportunity to help local and county fire departments make such a positive impact in their communities,” said Interim State Fire Marshal John Kondratick. “Early detection of smoke is critical. It gives occupants more time to escape, and it gives first responders more time to put out fires before they can spread to other buildings. Our office is privileged to support New Mexicans through this type of program, and we plan to expand this initiative to rural and underserved communities across New Mexico.”
Below are some important fire safety resources regarding Fire Prevention Week. For more information, please visit www.nfpa.org/Events/Events/Fire-Prevention-Week/About.
- Safety Tip Sheet (here)
- Family Home Safety Action Plan / El Plan de Acción de Seguridad en Casa de la Familia (here/aqui)
- Special resources for the deaf and hard of hearing (here)
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DHSEM works to protect the people of New Mexico and the nation through a comprehensive and coordinated program of mitigating hazards, preparing for emergencies, preventing attacks, and recovering from disasters.