With a winter blast forecast to drop temperatures into the mid to upper 20s, the Louisiana Office of State Fire Marshal is urging residents to take an extra safety step during cold weather by adding a fifth “P” to the familiar checklist of People, Pets, Pipes and Plants.
The fifth “P” is Press — as in pressing the test button on smoke alarms to ensure they are working properly, the agency said.
“Press the test button on your smoke alarm to make sure it is working,” the State Fire Marshal’s Office stated in a recent press release. “This simple step can save lives.”
The reminder comes as house-fire deaths remain high statewide. So far this year, 82 people have died in 63 house fires. Of those fires, only two homes had working smoke alarms, according to the agency.
Officials said the numbers underscore the importance of functioning smoke alarms, especially during freezing weather when residents are more likely to use heaters and other heat sources.
“If the smoke alarm does not work, replace the battery or replace the unit with a newer smoke alarm that comes with 10-year sealed lithium batteries,” the office said.
Along with testing smoke alarms, the State Fire Marshal’s Office encouraged residents to follow the full “Five P’s” during cold weather: people should dress in layers and check on vulnerable neighbors such as the elderly and children; pets should be brought indoors or provided warm shelter; pipes should be insulated or faucets allowed to drip to prevent freezing; plants should be covered or moved indoors; and residents should press the smoke alarm test button.
“A working smoke alarm gives families the critical early warning they need to get out safely,” the agency said.