MARSHALL — City Fire Chief Quentin Brunsvold said smoke detectors are essential for any home and business as it provides early fire detection and can save lives as well limit harm to property and ensure tranquility.

“Most fires are caused in the winter time due to heating sources and external heating sources,” Brunsvold said of the importance of organizations and households having working smoke detectors. “As an example, people have space heaters going and something drops on top of said space heater that creates a problem that can start a fire. One hundred percent year round it is absolutely important to have a smoke detector but especially in the wintertime just for those exact purposes.”

Smoke alarms should be tested semi-annually and at the same time, change the batteries. According to Brunsvold, smoke detectors have a no 10-year life span so being aware of that in addition to checking and changing the batteries upon a hearing a beep, usually twice a year or during each time change is also equally important to maintaining an active smoke alarm.

“I have a carbon monoxide detector or alarm that’s plugged into the wall right outside of our bedrooms for my family. I have one on every level,” Brunsvold said.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, from 2018-22, smoke detectors were installed in three-quarters or 74% of homes with reported fires. The key benefits of smoke alarms boil down to saving lives, having time to escape a fire, property protection, and catching a fire in the earliest stage possible.