International Association of Fire Chiefs

Smart Alarm Choices

Smart Alarm Choices

Smart Alarm Choices an online toolkit

This toolkit was created to help fire service leaders with educational materials to promote advanced smoke alarm education among their personnel and community.

Supported by:
Kidde 
Why Was the Program Developed?
Every home needs smoke alarms
More Public Education Videos

Fire experts recommend that smoke alarms are installed on each floor, in hallways and inside of all sleeping areas. Unfortunately, too many homes are not properly protected with enough working smoke alarms, or they are not tested and maintained. That leaves the people who live in the homes at great risk.

There are many challenges with educating the public about smoke alarms. Technology is changing in the smoke alarm industry; media coverage can be confusing with conflicting information about the effectiveness of smoke alarm and widespread budget cuts in fire department public education programs.

This toolkit was developed in conjunction with Kidde and support of the IAFC Fire and Life Safety section. Bookmark this site and check back regularly as resources will continue to be updated.


Featured Resources

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detector
CO poisoning is entirely preventable. Protect yourself and your family by learning the symptoms of CO poisoning and how to prevent it.
Smoke Alarm Media Talking Points
This messages emphasizes the importance of having enough smoke alarms and the advantages of location-based smoke alarms in residences.
Smoke Alarm Technologies
This document outlines alarm technologies, installation and the importance of testing on a regular basis.

News

Jan 01, 0001

Public Hearing on Thermal Fuse Reimbursement: A Critical Step Towards Fire Safety

CMC to hold public hearing November 8 regarding thermal fuses, a crucial safety device in fire prevention.

Jan 01, 0001

The IAFC calls upon the United States Senate to consider and pass legislation to help make e-bikes, e-scooters and hoverboards fire-safe.

IAFC encourages members to contact their Senators and ask them to pass legislation requiring safety standards for lithium-ion batteries in micro mobility devices.

Jan 01, 0001

The Fire & Life Safety Section (FLSS) has launched a Home Oxygen Therapy (HOT) Toolkit

FLSS recently launches an essential tool for Fire Chiefs and departments to address the hazards associated with Home Oxygen Therapy

Jan 01, 0001

Chief Greg Rogers provides insight to NFPA Journal on the Single Exit Stair topic

Chief Greg Rogers provides insight to NFPA Journal on the Single Exit Stair topic

Jan 01, 0001

Fire Chief Ray Reynolds Honored for Excellence in Fire and Life Safety

Fire and Life Safety Section presented Fire Chief Ray Reynolds with the 2024 Excellence in Fire & Life Safety Award

Jan 01, 0001

Call For Presentations: 2025 Community Risk Reduction Leadership Conference

Submit your presentation idea as part of the 2025 Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Leadership Conference today

Jan 01, 0001

Come participate in the conversation about Fire Service Hazards and Building and Fire Code Prevention Measures related to Lithium-ion Batteries and Energy Storage Systems!

Join the IAFC and FLSS session on lithium-Ion Batteries during FRI.

Jan 01, 0001

New Standards Development Activity on Battery Safety

NFPA is seeking comments regarding New Standards Development Activity on Battery Safety

Jan 01, 0001

Fire & Life Safety Section Chair Greg Rogers testifies at ICC Code Hearing

Watch the fire service testify against the single stair code proposal

Jan 01, 0001

Reducing Stairs in Residential Buildings Higher Than Three Stories Creates Escape Hazards for Occupants and Inhibits Vital Emergency Response Operations

Fire, Life and Safety Section submits a position statement.

Jan 01, 0001

Fighting Fire and Preserving Progress: The Unsung Role of Portable Fire Extinguishers in Environmental and Life Safety

The use of portable fire extinguishers is a win-win situation for both life safety and environmental preservation

Jan 01, 0001

FLSS Strategic Initiatives Plan for the years 2023 – 2025

New! FLSS Strategic Initiatives Plan for the years 2023 – 2025

Jan 01, 0001

FLSS Scholarship for the Community Risk Reduction Leadership Conference

Learn about an opportunity for scholarships and complimentary registration to attend the Community Risk Reduction Leadership Conference

Jan 01, 0001

The Fire and Life Safety Section IAFC training has been rescheduled!

Join us on November 15th, 2023, and equip yourself with essential skills to ensure safety in any situation

Jan 01, 0001

Training: Batteries in the Fire Service, Tall Mass-Timber Buildings & Fire Department Concerns, and Codes that Safeguard Construction

Training on operational response and code requirements for batteries in buildings and energy storage systems

Jan 01, 0001

Call for Candidates for the 2024 FLSS Election

Learn more about the available positions.

Jan 01, 0001

CNIC Announces Fire and Emergency Services Award Winners

The Navy F&ES Awards Program was instituted in 1997 to recognize the most outstanding fire departments and personnel for achieving the highest degree of excellence in mission support and fire protection management.

Jan 01, 0001

Trend Towards 10-Year Technology

Suggestions for replacing alarms.

Jan 01, 0001

Do Not Be Left Under Protected

If your home was built before 1993, here are optimum locations of smoke alarms.

Jan 01, 0001

Don't Fall Victim to Carbon Monoxide, the "Invisible Killer"

Carbon monoxide, also known as CO, is called the "Invisible Killer" because it's a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas. More than 150 people in the Unites States die every year from accidental non-fire related CO poisoning associated with consumer products, including generators.

Jan 01, 0001

DHS Releases New “Cyber Essentials” Resources to Promote Cybersecurity

The IAFC recommends that fire chiefs review the actions described in the Cyber Essentials to protect your fire department from cyber-attacks.

Jan 01, 0001

Firefighter Safety Culture Starts Behind the Wheel

A comprehensive emergency vehicle driver program demonstrates your organization’s culture of safety for your firefighters, as well as the general public, that encounters our emergency vehicles on the street.

Jan 01, 0001

Seven Ways to Make Community Risk Reduction a Focus of Your Department

An ever-present concern for any fire chief is our role in reducing the impact incidents have on our community.

Jan 01, 0001

Fire Sprinklers Save Lives; Pass It On

Home Fire Sprinkler Week is May 19-25, a great opportunity for you to raise awareness in your community about this life-saving technology and break down the myths and legislative barriers to its use.

Jan 01, 0001

Are You Using Your Equity Goggles?

At a public-education event, a young Asian boy said to me, “Wow, I didn’t know you could be a firefighter; could I be a firefighter too?” I'll never forget his words; this was the first time he had seen a firefighter who looked like him.

Jan 01, 0001

Fire and Life Safety: Experiencing Home Fires – Still a Real Problem

School visits, department open houses and old messages don’t resonate with average community members. Public apathy is still a real problem. Are we missing the mark on public education?

Jan 01, 0001

Community Risk Reduction: The Magic Pill?

In CRR, we make changes to reduce the risk we find among our organizations, business community and citizens. We have many ways to do this, but what we’re looking for is a change of heart and direction, not just a magic pill.

Jan 01, 0001

Making Community Risk Reduction Relevant

The IAFC’s new CRR Leadership Conference will educate and train chief officers and other fire service managers seeking to create, execute and evaluate measurably successful CRR platforms and programs.

Jan 01, 0001

Teaching and Technology: A Recipe for Safe Cooking

We know that cooking is the #1 cause of home fires and fire injuries in America, with $1 billion lost annually in property damage. An interest in technology that limits the high-end temperature of electric-coil elements is growing as a result.

Jan 01, 0001

Fire Sprinkler Incentives for Developers: A Win-Win

In a national survey of homebuilders and developers, 55% said they would be interested in building homes with fire sprinklers if they were offered incentives. However, only 6% had ever been offered them.

Jan 01, 0001

Fire Prevention Week: A Good Time to Reflect

This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme is "Look, Listen, Learn: Be Aware, Fire Can Happen Anywhere."

Jan 01, 0001

Executive Officer Leadership: “Fire Prevention” Is Outdated!

Am I suggesting the fire service do away with fire-prevention activities? Absolutely not! But are you doing a disservice to your responsibility to protect your community by using the label “fire prevention?”

Jan 01, 0001

Fire and Life Safety: Why Pursue Our Professional Credentials?

What’s the common denominator between obtaining coaching credentials and working for our fire service professional credentials? What value do these provide?

Jan 01, 0001

Kidde Recalls Dual Sensor Smoke Alarms

Recall involves models PI2010 and PI9010 of Kidde dual sensor.

Jan 01, 0001

President’s Letter: Make Community Interaction Count

On the heels of Fire Prevention Week, it’s easy to appreciate the interaction and trust we have within our communities; the week is a magnificent example of harnessing tragedy to make positive change.

Jan 01, 0001

IAFC Expresses Condolences for Victims of Baltimore Fire

The IAFC expresses its deep condolences to the family and friends of six young children who reportedly perished during a residential house fire Thursday in Baltimore, Md. We commend the first responders who responded to the tragic scene.

Jan 01, 0001

National Organizations Support Fire Sprinkler Legislation

On January 26, the world watched a great tragedy unfold as 235 people were killed in a nightclub fire in ...

Videos/Podcasts

 

Did you know?

  • 75% of all fatal fires occur in a residence.
  • Approximately 2,980 people die in the United States each year as the result of a fire in their home. 
  • Fire fatalities occur in the 40%% of homes that have no alarms, or 17% no working smoke alarms.

Source: (NFPA)

Contact

Derek Bullington
Program Coordinator
International Association of Fire Chiefs
(703) 537-4831
dbullington@iafc.org

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