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Fire Extinguishers

Protect your home and vehicle with a fire extinguisher.

Tips for choosing and using fire extinguishers (source: U.S. Fire Administration) 

 

Where to Replenish or Recycle Your Fire Extinguisher:

DO NOT THROW YOUR EXPIRED OR USED EXTINGUISHERS IN YOUR RESIDENTIAL REFUSE BINS.

Fire extinguishers require special handling for disposal or replenishment. Extinguishers can be taken to certain retailers, including those listed below.
There may be a fee for these services. We recommend you call ahead to confirm any fees or special instructions.


Jefferson Fire & Safety                                                    
7620 Donna Drive                                          
Middleton, WI 53562
(608) 836-0068

Cintas 
804 Walsh Road
Madison, WI 53714

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Dane County Clean Sweep 
7102 U.S. Highway 12
Madison, WI 53718

Madison Extinguisher Service 
5574 Langer Road
Marshall, WI 53559

Summit Fire Protection 
1128 Stewart Street
Madison, WI 53713
(608) 276-9553

Fire Extinguishers
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Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms provide an early warning of fire, giving you and your family more time to safely evacuate your home.

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Often, home fires occur in the darkness of night when residents are fast asleep. One misconception is that a person will awaken from the smell of smoke. This is WRONG...Smoke is a silent killer! Smoke contains many deadly gases, such as carbon monoxide, that will actually put a person into an even deeper state of sleep, causing a person never to wake up. A smoke alarm is your first line of defense to get out alive.

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Choosing a Smoke Alarm

 

  • Smoke alarms can be purchased at the majority of hardware and variety department stores. Be sure that the alarms you buy carry the label of an independent testing laboratory.

  • Smoke alarms in the City of Madison must have a ten year lithium battery with a tamper resistant battery compartment or be hardwired directly to your home’s electrical system with a battery backup. Either type is effective as long as they are installed and maintained properly (follow the manufacturer's directions).

  • Some smoke alarms detect smoke using an ionization sensor while others use a photoelectric sensor. Again, both types are effective as long as they are installed and maintained properly, following the manufacturer's directions.

  • Specialty alarms with emergency lights also exist for the hearing impaired.

 

How many and where to install?

  • The total number of smoke alarms and where they are installed depends on the home. Follow these guidelines for determining the number of smoke alarms and where to install them.

 

It is best practice to have smoke alarms installed in the following areas:

  • In each bedroom

  • In each sleeping area

  • Within six feet of each door leading to a bedroom or sleeping area of each unit

  • On each floor of the building

  • Smoke alarms are not recommended for kitchens, bathrooms, or garages where cooking fumes, steam, or exhaust fumes could result in false alarms.

 

Do not install an alarm in an attic or other unheated spaces where humidity and temperature changes could affect the alarm's operation.


If your alarm regularly goes off due to normal cooking in the kitchen, do not attempt to remove the battery. Physically move and reinstall the smoke alarm in a location where the alarm will not continually go off while you are cooking.


Install smoke alarms following the manufacturer's directions. Most battery operated smoke alarms can be easily installed using a drill, screws, and screwdriver. Alarms hard-wired to the homes electrical system should be installed by a professional. Never install an alarm to a circuit that can be turned off from a wall switch.


Mount alarms high on a wall or on the ceiling. Avoid dead air spaces. Wall-mounted alarms should be installed so that they are 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling. A ceiling-mounted alarm should be attached at least 4 inches from the nearest wall.
 

Maintenance & Batteries

  1. Only a functioning smoke alarm can protect you and your family.

  2. Never disable an alarm by "borrowing" its battery for another use.

  3. Test your smoke alarms monthly.

  4. Follow the manufacturer´s instructions

  5. Clean your smoke alarms using a dust brush or rag.

  6. Never paint a smoke alarm.

  7. Replace smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old.

Smoke Alarms


What should you do if the CO detector alarm sounds?

First of all, never ignore an alarm and do not panic! Although exposure to high levels of CO over prolonged periods of time can be life-threatening, a large number of instances that activate the CO alarm are not life-threatening and do not require calling 911. To determine the need to call 911, ask the following question to everyone in the household.

Are you feeling sick and/or experiencing the "flu-like" symptoms of dizziness, nausea, or headaches?

If Yes: Immediately evacuate the household to a safe

location and call 911. The best initial treatment for CO

exposure is fresh air followed by treatment from a

physician.

If No: The likelihood of a serious exposure is greatly

reduced and calling 911 is not necessary at this time.

Instead, turn off any gas appliances or equipment and

open doors and windows to help ventilate your home

with fresh air from outside. After completing this,

occupants are urged to contact your local gas utility

company (e.g., MG&E  at (608) 252-1111) or a qualified

heating and ventilating service contractor to inspect your

system for possible problems. Note: If at any time during this process someone in your household experiences "flu-like" symptoms, immediately evacuate the home and call 911.
 

Carbon Monoxide Alarms
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Get the app. Save a life.

There were nearly 400 cardiac arrests in Dane County last year. The PulsePoint app alerts bystanders—like you—who can help victims before emergency responders arrive.

Download the app now! 

 

How It Works

When the Dane County 911 Center dispatches emergency responders to a cardiac emergency, PulsePoint users located within a quarter mile of the incident are simultaneously alerted. These alerts are only sent for cases of cardiac arrest in public locations.
 
When an alert is sent, you receive a “CPR Needed” notification. If you choose to respond, PulsePoint provides a GPS-guided map to the closest Automated Electronic Defibrillator (AED).
 
Response is completely voluntary and anonymous. The app does not know whether or not you chose to respond.
 
Click here for an overview of how the app works on Android  and iOS .

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Why me?

Every second counts. By stepping in and providing chest compressions while help is on the way, victims of sudden cardiac arrest have a greater chance of survival.

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Do I need be CPR-certified?

 No. Any previous exposure to CPR training—whether a formal CPR class, hands-only class, sidewalk CPR event, or online training video—equips you with enough knowledge to make a difference. What’s more, CPR instructions are provided on the app!

PulsePoint
PulsePoint
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Fire Prevention
Fire Prevention
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