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City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Kaylin Martin, Senior Communications Coordinator
Phone 952-833-9537 • Fax 952-826-0389 • www.EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fire Department Participates in Fire Prevention Month
Edina, Minn., Oct. 17, 2014 – As part of Fire Prevention Month, Firefighters are working to visit 70
elementary school and preschool classrooms in October to teach students about fire safety and prevention.
“It’s important to start teaching the kids this information when they are young, so that it stays with them,”
said Fire Inspector Brian Hanrahan. “The kids we teach are now old enough to call 9-1-1 if need be and should
know what to do if there’s ever a fire.”
This year’s theme, “Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Test Yours Every Month,” is brought into the
classrooms when Hanrahan shows students a working smoke alarm and has the kids test it. He also reminds
students to test their home smoke alarms with their parents.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, three out of five fire deaths result from fires in
properties that do not have working smoke alarms.
“Testing your smoke alarm to ensure it is working is such an easy thing to do to save a life,” said Fire Marshal
Jeff Siems. “Smoke alarm should be tested every month and the batteries changed twice a year.”
As a reminder to change smoke alarm batteries, the Fire Department encourages people to change their
batteries during Daylight Saving Time, once in the spring and once in the fall. Daylight Saving Time will end
Nov. 2, so replace your batteries then. The entire smoke alarm unit should be replaced every 8 to 10 years.
For those with mobility issues or who otherwise qualify, the Fire Department installs smoke alarms equipped
with batteries in single-family homes. Fire Department personnel are available for testing, installation and
safety survey checks. Appointments, which last approximately 45 minutes each, are available between 8 a.m.
and noon the second Friday of every month.
For more information on Fire Prevention Month or to schedule an appointment, contact the Edina Fire
Department at 952-826-0339.
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