ABC7's 13th year with Operation Save A Life, celebrating 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- ABC7 is proud to team up with Kidde and The Home Depot to present the 13th Annual Operation Save A Life, a campaign designed to increase public awareness of fire safety, carbon monoxide awareness, and reduce devastating losses that can occur as a result of fires and CO poisoning.
As part of Kidde's ongoing Cause for Alarm efforts, they are proud to sponsor Operation Save a Life.
During our press event on Tuesday, October 11, we heard from Bay Area fire department representatives on the importance of fire safety:
- Lt. Jonathan Baxter, San Francisco Fire Department
- Fire Marshal Felicia Bryant, Oakland Fire Department
- Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal James Dobson, San Jose Fire Department
- Fire Chief Suwanna Kerdkaew, Santa Clara County Fire Department
Each year in October, communities throughout North America celebrate the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)'s Fire Prevention Week, the oldest running public health observance in the U.S. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week.
Operation Save A Life builds on Fire Prevention Week and provides support throughout the month of October. This fire safety program kicked off in October with a press conference, where Kidde generously donates thousands of smoke and CO alarms to support local fire departments. These units are then distributed out into the community and help raise awareness among the public.
"We, at Kidde, feel our mission is to protect every moment for everyone, and we don't feel that families should have to choose between putting food on the table and worrying about fire safety," said Stephanie Berzinkski, Kidde spokesperson. "That's why we are happy to chip in and help and donate these alarms."
Look for our educational campaign on-air, including safety tips on how to help prevent fires and carbon monoxide poisoning in your home or business, information on correct alarm installation and operation, and tips on how to establish a fire safety plan for your family.
Learn how to protect your home and family from danger with these important safety tips:
- Install smoke alarms on each level of your home, in hallways, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. On average, families have less than 2-3 minutes from the first time the smoke alarm sounds to escape a fire. The sooner you hear an alarm, the more time you'll have to get out.
- Carbon Monoxide (CO) is invisible and odorless. To keep your family safe, you need at least one working CO alarm on each level of your home, and near sleeping areas.
- Test smoke and CO alarms weekly. Change alarm batteries every six months - for example, when you set your clocks forward (spring) and back (fall) - or, install Kidde Worry-Free 10-year sealed battery alarms. Replace alarms every seven to ten years. If you don't know how old your alarm is, you should replace it.
- Place fire extinguishers within reach on every level of your home. Install close to exits, in the kitchen and in the garage. Check the gauge monthly, and replace devices over 12 years old.
- Develop and practice a home escape plan with your family. Know 2 ways out of every room, and place escape ladders in upstairs rooms.
Operation Save A Life is a community service program that distributes free smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms to those who might not otherwise have them, particularly low income and elderly households. Kidde is donating thousands of 10-year sealed smoke alarms and hundreds of CO alarms to the 2022 campaign, which will be distributed with the help of participating fire departments throughout the Bay Area.
