Why Have Four Decades of Warnings Been Ignored?

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Page 4 of the Open Letters document sent to United Technologies Corporation (UTC/Kidde) as part of the 'Smoke Alarm Warning' series of Open Letters.More at:www.SmokeAlarmWarning.org/utc

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“Ionization smoke alarms may not operate in time to alert occupants early enough to escape from smouldering fires.”

The Australasian Fire Authorities Council (AFAC) represents all Australian and New Zealand Fire Brigades. Their official position on smoke alarms states:

AFAC ‘Position on Smoke Alarms in Residential Accomodation’ June, 2006, Page 3

WARNING: Ionization Alarms Unsafe!

Why have Four Decades of Warnings Been Ignored?

May, 1996 - 16 Years Later:

June, 2006 - 26 Years Later:

Oct, 2012 - 32 Years Later:

Sept, 1980 - First Official Warning:

SOUNDING THE ALARMWARNING: Ionization Alarms Unsafe!

Dr. Don Russell: “That’s where they (the manufacturers) make most of their..

money (selling ionization alarms) and they’re just going to keep..doing the same thing until something compels them to change.”Dr. Russell, Texas A&M University, ‘Smoke Alarms’, ABC - 20/20, 17 May, 1996

WARNING: Ionization Alarms Unsafe!

In 1980 after thousands had been injured or killed in house fires, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) warned the ionization type of smoke alarm in most U.S. homes were not safe and “lives were at risk”: www.thewfsf.org/iafc

Tragically the IAFC’s warning went unheeded - for the next 32 years . . .

WARNING: Ionization Alarms Unsafe!

Brian Lien Fire Fighterwww.today.msnbc.msn.com/id/49214422

Brian Lien - Houston Fire Fighter:“If I would have relied on an ionization,.

my family probably wouldn’t make it out.”

:Brian Williams - NBC News Anchor/Editor“...they may not deliver the warning needed to save lives.

Brian Williams 6pm NBC News

Dr RussellBarbara Walters

Seasoned Fire Fighters Shocked

Jan, 2000 - 20 Years Later:

WARNING: Ionization Alarms Unsafe! SILENT ALARMS

Jennifer Mercer

“So they took us in to see them and I couldn’t even tell which child was which; they were that burned and disotorted.”

IAFC REPORT

AFAC REPORT

Jennifer Mercer, ‘Silent Alarms’ CTV, Jan, 2000

MERCER v. PITTWAY CORPORATION BRK

“What came out in court was an astounding tale of misinformation and deception.”

Both boys had burns to more than 40% oftheir bodies. Bradley died. Travis survived.

Tom Clark, Journalist, ‘Silent Alarms’ CTV, Jan, 2000 www.SmokeAlarmWarning.org/silentalarms

SMOKE ALARMS

The reason the WFSF is warning about ionization alarms is because thepublic, and even many of our fire fighters, STILL do not know they are unsafe!

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