Fire Prevention
Fire Prevention Bureau Registration
The NJ Uniform Fire Code and Borough Ordinance requires that all premises, except owner-occupied one- and two-family or attached single family structures used exclusively for dwelling purposes, be registered with the Franklin Lakes Fire Prevention Bureau. The "Fire Prevention Registration form" is located in the Fire Prevention section at www.franklinlakes.org/forms.
Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is invisible, odorless, tasteless and colorless. Every year approximately 1,500 people die of carbon monoxide poisoning. At minimum, have one carbon monoxide detector (UL-2034 listed) near all sleeping areas. For next level of protection, have an additional alarm installed on every level of your home. Date your carbon monoxide detectors and replace them every 5 years. If anyone is feeling ill from CO, some of the symptoms they may be experiencing are sleepiness, nausea, or dizziness. If the alarm sounds, evacuate immediately and call the fire department at 201-891-3131. Remember CO is colorless, odorless and a poisonous gas. Sources of carbon monoxide are furnaces, gas water heaters, stoves, dryers, generators, fireplaces, wood stoves, grills, lawn mower, snow blowers, cars, trucks and motorcycles. If you have any questions, please call the Franklin Lakes Fire Prevention Bureau at 201-891-4000, Ext 1218.
Smoke Detectors
Protect Yourself and Your Family Today!
Most people know that smoke alarms are very important to their safety in the event of a fire.
The majority of fatal home fires occur at night, when people are asleep. Instead of waking you, smoke and poisonous gases from a fire can quickly numb the senses and put you into an even deeper sleep.
About 86% of American homes have smoke detectors today...but that still leaves one home in seven unprotected.
Smoke detectors can save even more lives if we install then everywhere they are needed and if we keep them working. By properly installing and maintaining smoke detectors on each level of your home, you double your chances of surviving a fire!
Detectors should be installed as close to the center of the ceiling as possible. Minimum protection requires a smoke detector outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement. And most importantly: Be sure everyone sleeping in your home can hear your smoke alarms - even with appliances on, such as air conditioning.
Some smoke alarms are considered to be "hard-wired". This means they are connected to the household electrical system and may or may not have battery back up. It's important to test every smoke alarm monthly. And always use new batteries when replacing old ones.
Also be advised that if your smoke detectors were installed 10 years ago, you may need to consider replacing them. Smoke alarms don't last forever. Replace any smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old.
REMEMBER...
Cooking vapors, steam, and other fumes sometimes set off "nuisance" alarms. Don't take the battery out of your alarms. You may not remember to put the batteries back in the alarm after cooking. Try relocating the alarm away from the source of the problem.
Take This Quiz...
The Smoke Alarms in my home:
...are installed on every level, especially near sleeping areas. YES NO
...are tested once a month. YES NO
...have their batteries replaced with new ones at least once a year. YES NO
...are vacuumed over and kept free of dust. YES NO
...have their batteries replaced and are retested, should they start making a "chirping" noise. YES NO
...are replaced with new smoke alarms every ten years. YES NO
How did you do? Did you answer "NO" to any of the questions? Are your smoke detectors up-to-date and ready?
When the Smoke Detector Sounds...
1. Plan escape routes in advance and know at least two ways out of each room -
especially bedrooms!
2. Your plan should specify a safe meeting place outside your home so that you'll know whether everyone is out.
3. Crawl low under smoke.
ONCE YOU'RE OUT, STAY OUT!
If fire strikes, leave the building immediately. Go to the designated meeting place, then call the fire department from a neighbor's phone.
DO NOT GO BACK INTO YOUR HOME FOR ANY REASON.
PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY TODAY
The Franklin Lakes Fire Prevention Bureau has a limited supply of FREE Smoke Detectors. If you need smoke detectors for your home, you may pick up your smoke detector(s) during regular business hours.