News 12 at 6 O'Clock, October 19, 2009

AUGUSTA -- As smoke billows out of a mobile home, smoke detectors go crazy and sirens blare on scene.

"Look how long it takes for that smoke detector to go off, it hasn't gone off yet," says Augusta-Richmond Co. Fire Lieutenant Carlton Bradley.

Good thing that this is just a training exercise.

"What you're supposed to do is get on the floor," he says.

Bradley demonstrates what to do when you wake up to smoke.

It's made for kids, but a mobile fire department safety unit is a good refresher for us too. The fire department estimates half of us don't know how to protect our homes.

"Probably 90 percent (of fires) is preventable," says Capt. Jack Womack. "Most fires are human error."

We all know to check our battery, but what we're really doing when we push the button on the front, is checking the battery. We need to make sure this sensor is good, by spraying some smoke in a can.

"I would say the fire risk goes up in cooler weather," Womack adds, "because people do all kinds of things to stay warm."

Here's how you avoid those risks.

1. Have your furnace or chimneys cleaned and checked by an expert.

2. Keep space heaters at least three feet away from any object, and avoid extension cords.

3. Fill kerosene heaters outside, making sure they're turned off first. And be careful not to mix kerosene and gasoline.

The other fire dangers are right next to you -- candles, pots on the stove, toasters, and fireplaces.

Knowing what to do could keep safe and out of the cold.

It's also important to practice fire drills at your home, much like you do at work and may have done at school. Check your smoke detectors once a month and change the battery when time changes. The next change is coming up Nov. 1.

You can get a free smoke detector by contacting the Augusta-Richmond Co Fire Dept., who will also visit your home for a safety check. Just call (706) 821-2489. You can also schedule the safety unit for your school or community event.