| Winfield's Fire Prevention Queen, Stacie Jaret, installed smoke alarms in two homes for the hearing impaired. These special smoke alarms produce not only an audible alarm but also have a strobe light that flashes when the alarm is activated. These smoke alarms are recommended for the bedrooms of the deaf and hard of hearing. These smoke alarms were obtained through FABSCOM (Fire and Burn Safety Coalition of Maryland).
Smoke alarms are essential for all segments of our society. Members of the deaf and hard of hearing community are not served by conventional audible smoke alarms. Visual smoke alarms have been developed for those who can't adequately detect the sound of an audible alarm. Through the means of a bright strobe light as well as a supplemental audible alarm, visual smoke alarms will warn deaf and hard of hearing occupants of a hazardous situation.
How can you tell if you need a visual smoke alarm or not? If you have been declared deaf or hard of hearing by your physician, or if you don't wake up when your phone rings or when someone activates your door bell, then you need a visual smoke alarm.
Members of FABSCOM assist in acquiring and distributing visual smoke alarms throughout the state of Maryland. If you are unable to locate or afford the cost of a visual smoke alarm, contact a member of FABSCOM.
An application and more information about FABSCOM is available at www.fabscom.org
Winfield's FABSCOM member is Debbie and she can be reached at 410-795-1333 x336 or fireprevention@winfieldvfd.org |
