Fire Prevention Month: Every second counts

Four Airmen pull a fire truck to safety during the Fire Muster competition at the 21st Civil Engineer fire station at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, Oct. 13, 2017. Three teams of four Airmen competed in the event. (U.S. Air Force photo by Robb Lingley)

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Fire Prevention Month: Every second counts

Tech. Sgt. Matthew Zakrajsek demonstrates what will happen when an unprepared turkey is placed in a deep fat fryer during a demonstration at the Base Exchange on Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, Oct. 13, 2017. The event was part of Fire Safety Week. (U.S. Air Force photo by Robb Lingley)

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Fire Prevention Month: Every second counts

A turkey explodes after it was placed in a deep fat fryer at the Base Exchange on Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, Oct. 13, 2017. The demonstration showed that a turkey will explode if not properly prepared before frying. (U.S. Air Force photo by Robb Lingley)

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Fire Prevention Month: Every second counts

21st Civil Engineer fire fighters deliver pizza to a family at Tierra Vista housing on Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, Oct. 13, 2017. The pizza was free if the family agreed to a fire inspection of their home. (U.S. Air Force photo by Robb Lingley)

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Fire Prevention Month: Every second counts

Sparky, 21st Civil Engineer Fire Department mascot, greets children behind the R.P. Lee youth center on Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Oct. 11, 2017. He participated in a fire drill and evacuated the building with the children. (U.S. Air Force photo by Robb Lingley)

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Fire Prevention Month: Every second counts

Sparky the mascot, and a 21st Civil Engineer fire fighter talk with children outside the Youth Center on Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, Oct. 11, 2017. Sparky demonstrated an evacuation with the children during a fire drill. (U.S. Air Force photo by Robb Lingley)

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Fire Prevention Month: Every second counts

An Airman pulls a 180 pound mannequin to safety during the 21st Civil Engineer Fire Departments third annual Fire Muster competition on Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado, Oct. 13, 2017. As part of Fire Safety Week three teams of four Airmen, not affiliated with the fire department, competed for the Fire Muster trophy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Robb Lingley)

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Fire Prevention Month: Every second counts

Published Oct. 17, 2017
By Robb Lingley
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Every year, October brings with it a very important and critical consideration, fire prevention. October is National Fire Prevention Month on Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.

Be sure, this month, to check all fire safety measures, with the most important being making sure that all smoke alarms are in peak working condition. Smoke alarms need to operate perfectly in the event of excess smoke or worse, an actual fire.

While fire alarm systems help to protect Airmen at work smoke alarms at home are critical safety measures that provide Airmen and their families protection by warning them early enough to take the necessary precautions.

Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home and installed in every bedroom. They should be tested monthly and have their batteries replaced twice a year. The smoke alarms themselves should be replaced every eight to ten years.

It’s important to have an escape plan during a fire. Seconds can mean the difference between Airmen escaping safely or having their lives end in tragedy.