Security is what most people yearn for – whether it be cyber security, monetary security, emotional security – you name it, people want to feel safe. But some could argue that the most important of all security concerns is one’s physical safety. And there is no better way to protect yourself and your family or your employees and customers than to ensure you have a properly installed and maintained fire alarm in your home or business. While it doesn’t seem like much – it’s just some sensors and strobes – a fire alarm system can actually be the deciding factor between life or death.

Without a fire alarm, a building or home could catch fire and the people inside could be completely unaware until they smelled the smoke or saw the flames. In addition, the fire department wouldn’t immediately be notified, and the building could burn down without any chance for help. In essence, it could be too late. There is no debate that fire alarm systems and smoke detectors save lives and can help minimize property loss through early detection and response. In fact, the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) states: “The death rate per 1,000 home structures is approximately 60 percent lower in homes with working smoke alarms than in homes with no alarms or none that operated.”*

So, it makes you wonder – who created such a seemingly simple yet invaluable device? Let me introduce you to Mr. Safety himself, Francis Robbins Upton. An American physicist and mathematician who was born in Peabody, Massachusetts, Upton worked closely alongside Thomas Edison, who invented the lightbulb, experimenting and working with electric power. Francis Robbins Upton patented the first electric fire alarm and detector, along with Mr. Fernando J. Dibble, in 1890. Since that time, improvements have been made to the formerly basic model by others all over the world.

Upton was born today – July 26th – in 1952. To celebrate his birthday, and in turn his genius for such a crucial invention, let’s all make sure our homes and offices are being protected. Check your fire alarms to make sure they are in good condition and have had the necessary tests and inspections to ensure that they are in proper working order. Although a fire alarm may just seem like a red box on the wall and a bunch of detectors on the ceiling, thanks to Francis Robbins Upton, they save buildings, valuables, and critical assets from burning to the ground– and most importantly, they save lives.

Sources:
*NFPA: Smoke Alarms in US Home Fires report | NFPA