May 23, 1987

Smoke alarms

       To the editor:

         As a member of a fire department and director of the Red Cross in Johnson County, I am called upon to give talks on safety.  In talking about fire safety, I ask how many people present have smoke or fire detectors.  I am constantly amazed at the number of people who do not yet have a detector even though the detectors have been proven to have saved lives.  That has been proven by people who have had fires right here in Johnson County.

         It can’t be the cost as some are as low as $10.00.  Isn’t your family’s life or you own worth $10.00?  I have been told by some people who have had fires, and did not have detectors, how lucky they were to have awakened in time to get out.  Yes, they were lucky, since most fire deaths are caused by smoke inhalation rather that the actual fire.  But why trust your life or your family’s life to luck?  So if it’s not the cost and we know they work, then why doesn’t everyone have at least one?  I just can’t understand this, because fire can happen to you.
 

Pat McDaniel

White River Fire Department
 
 

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