This past weekend the Carson City Fire Department responded to a structure fire on Tiger Drive. During the fire investigation it was noted there were no smoke alarms in the home and most of the windows had been covered with gypsum wallboard on the inside and wood siding on the outside. Investigators determined the cause was accidental, due to electrical malfunction. Fortunately, the family was awake when the fire broke out and were able to escape unharmed. If they had been asleep the incident would have been fatal.
Smoke alarms in the home is one of the single most important fire safety features residents can have. They are an early warning device to notify sleeping residents there is a fire in the home and to evacuate. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 41% of home fire deaths are due to not having smoke alarms in the home. Carson City Fire Department recommends a smoke alarm in each sleeping room, the hallway that adjoins the sleeping rooms, and one on each level of the home. Households with natural gas appliances like a furnace or water heater, wood burning appliances, or an attached garage, should have carbon monoxide detectors.