The Greenwood Volunteer Fire Department is urging residents to prioritize fire safety as they prepare for colder weather.
In a Facebook post dated November 2, the department advised homeowners to ensure their furnaces are functioning properly. Recommended actions include installing new filters, cleaning vents, and troubleshooting any issues. Additionally, it is important that thermostat settings are correct and carbon monoxide detectors are operational. The department also emphasized the importance of checking smoke detectors.
According to Brinks Home, there is a direct relationship between temperature and battery performance. “Wintertime is when batteries don’t operate at their optimum performance because of the cold,” Brinks said on its website. “When the temperature lowers, the battery’s chemical reactions slow down or stop completely, and won’t be able to produce a current.” This can lead to low batteries and potential malfunctions in smoke detectors.
The security company further warned that weak batteries could cause a smoke detector to beep every minute.
According to a Meta post shared on Tuesday, Midland County’s government reported that its emergency management department collaborated with the American Red Cross and students from Odessa High School to distribute and install smoke detectors. The county noted that volunteers installed 42 alarms in 18 homes and contacted more than 50 people regarding fire alarm safety.