The Longview Fire Department welcomes you to our 2021 Fire Prevention Week Web Page!

This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign is “Lean the Sounds of Fire Safety” and focuses on knowing what to do when an alarm sounds to keep your family safe.  When an alarm makes a sound – either a beeping sound or a chirping sound – you must take action!

 What’s the difference between a ‘beep’ and a ‘chirp’ coming from your smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector devices?

A ‘beep’ is a constant series of three loud beep from the device --   ‘BEEP-BEEP-BEEP.…brief pause….BEEP BEEP BEEP’…..  This means smoke or fire.  When you hear a beep, get on your feet!  Get out and stay out.  Follow your home fire escape plan and call 9-1-1 from your outside meeting place!   

Click Here to Hear the Beep!

A ‘chirp’ is a sound coming from the device only periodically (such once every 30 or 60 seconds.   ‘CHIRP’….pause of 30 to 60 seconds….’CHIRP’…..  When you hear chirp, make a change!  This means the device requires attention, such as a new battery.  Or if the device is older than 10 years, it’s time to replace it.  

Click Here to Hear the Chirp!

Click on the link below for a short video of the sounds your smoke alarm makes and what they mean.

Smoke Alarm Sounds

Frequently Asked Questions about smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms

 What’s the difference between smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms?  Why do I need both?

Smoke alarms sense smoke well before you can, alerting you to danger.  In the event of fire, you may have as little as 2 minutes to escape safely, which is why smoke alarms need to be in every bedroom, outside of the sleeping areas (like a hallway), and on each level of your home (including the basement).  Do not put smoke alarms in your kitchen or bathrooms.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas that displaces oxygen in your body and brain and can render you unconscious before you even realize something is happening to you.  Without vital oxygen, you are at risk of death from carbon monoxide poisoning in a short time.  CO alarms detect the presence of carbon monoxide and alert you so you can get out, call 9-1-1, and let the professionals check your home.  A carbon monoxide alarm beeps 4 times with a pause between each constant series of 4 loud beeps from the device.  

How do I know which smoke and CO alarm to choose for my home?

 Choose an alarm that is listed with a testing laboratory, meaning it has met certain standards for protection.  Whether you select a unit that requires yearly changing of batteries, or has a ’10-year’ unit that you change out at the end of the 10 years, either will provide protection.

 CO alarms also have a battery backup.  Choose one that is listed with a testing laboratory.  For the best protection, use combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that are interconnected throughout the home.   These can be installed by a qualified electrician, so that when one sounds, they all sound.  This ensures you can hear the alarm no matter where in the home the alarm originates.

Click on the links below for more information:

Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety

Smoke Alarms At Home - Safety Tips

Smoke Alarms for People Who are Deaf of Hard of Hearing

Facts About Carbon Monoxide (CO)

Don't forget to have a plan when you hear these sounds!  Follow this link to learn about having a home fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year.