AC unit fire displaces second Yakima family this week

With this weeks above normal temperature conditions, the Yakima Fire Department is advising residents to take the following precautions with respect to home safety:

* Install smoke detectors in each room. In one of the two most recent fires, the smoke detector in a hallway was drowned out by the sound of the air conditioner in the bedroom. Keep a smoke detector in the same room as your air conditioner in case you are sleeping in that room. A smoke detector in each room can help alert persons earlier, if there is a fire in any room.

* Check your portable air conditioners owners manual to be sure your home has an adequate electrical power supply for your window unit. In both fires, investigators determined that the air conditioning units power supply was inadequate and over loaded the homes electrical systems. If you are not sure about the adequacy of your homes electrical system, consult a licensed electrician.

* If possible, do not leave a portable air conditioner operating unmonitored. If theres a malfunction, you stand a better chance at reducing problems by catching the problem early.

* If you are using a portable air conditioner. Watch out for:

A smell of smoke or other abnormal smells coming from the air conditioner

Electrical circuit breakers tripping off whenever you use your air conditioner

Avoid using inadequate electrical wiring systems and devices for your air conditioner

* Never go back into your home once you have escaped the fire no matter the reason. Call the fire department immediately and advise us, if necessary, of the exact location of trapped persons in a fire.

* If you have any further questions call the Yakima Fire Department at 509- 575-6060

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AC unit fire displaces second Yakima family this week