MEBANE, N.C., Feb. 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Kevin Harvick and Kidde Fire Safety have teamed up to promote home fire safety and prevention. On Feb. 13, Harvick and Kidde donated Kidde smoke alarms with sealed 10-year batteries to the Florida Fire Marshals and Inspectors Association (FFMIA) at the Daytona International Speedway. Harvick is also spreading the word about fire safety by sharing his own personal home fire experience in new Share Your Story videos on Kidde's website and YouTube channel. Kidde, a leading manufacturer of residential fire safety products, is a part of UTC Building & Industrial Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
Effective Jan. 1, 2015, a new Florida law requires residents to install smoke alarms with sealed 10-year batteries when replacing outdated battery-operated alarms. The FFMIA will distribute the donated smoke alarms throughout the state for fire departments to install in at-risk homes.
In late 2013, Harvick, his wife and his son escaped without injury when a fire abruptly started in their North Carolina home. Due to a working smoke alarm and a quick response from the local fire department, Harvick and his family members' lives were spared and their home was saved. Since the incident, he has sought to educate the public about the importance of working smoke alarms and to show appreciation to firefighters.
"I know first-hand that smoke alarms are a key factor in protecting what matters most -- our families and our homes," Harvick said. "Many home fire deaths are preventable, and it's really important that we all do our part in raising awareness of fire safety tips that can help save lives."
The videos focus on simple home fire safety steps:
Replace smoke alarms every 10 years. Consider installing smoke alarms with a 10-year sealed-in, tamper-proof battery such as Kidde's Worry-Free alarms.
Place fire extinguishers within reach on every level of your home.
Install UL-listed CO alarms on each floor and near bedrooms.
Create and practice an escape plan with your family.
Commit to being a safety hero. Staying fire safe helps keep your family safer and reduces the risk of injury and death to firefighters.
"Kidde's mission is to help save lives, and we are pleased to work with Kevin, who is passionate about helping people protect their families," said Chris Rovenstine, vice-president of sales and marketing, Kidde. "Most home fire deaths in the U.S. occur in homes without any smoke alarm or a working alarm. The main reason they don't work is due to dead or missing batteries. Replacing outdated alarms with Kidde's Worry-Free sealed battery models provides the warning needed in an emergency and eliminates the hassle of having to replace batteries. It is a simple solution that can make a difference in a big way."
To learn more about fire safety and to view the Share Your Story videos, go to www.kidde.com.
About Kidde
Kidde is a leading manufacturer of residential smoke alarms, carbon monoxide (CO) alarms and fire extinguishers, and has been delivering advanced fire-safety technology since it produced the first integrated smoke detection and carbon dioxide extinguishing system more than 90 years ago. Kidde is a part of UTC Building & Industrial Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide. For more information, visit www.kidde.com or follow @KiddeSafety on Twitter and @KiddeFireSafety on Instagram.