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A Lebanon couple escaped a house fire early Friday when smoke detectors alerted them, authorities said.

A Lebanon couple escaped a house fire early Friday when smoke detectors alerted them, authorities said.

Smoke detectors are credited with saving the lives of a Lebanon couple and their two cats early Friday. But the story may have been different if the smoke detectors were too old.

Their piercing shrieks awoke Daniel and Rebecca McConnaughey at about 1:30 a.m., and she called 911 for help, according to a Lebanon Fire Department news statement.

The McConnaugheys and their two cats escaped the house fire unharmed.

“Heavy fire” had engulfed the back of the home at 622 Edgewood Drive before firefighters arrived, Lt. Jason Adams said. The cause of the fire was not yet determined Friday morning, pending further investigation.

“We know there was no foul play at this point,” Adams said.

Firefighters had water on the flames within 10 minutes and reported it was under control shortly after, according to Boone County Communications Center records.

The house was boarded up while the McConnaugheys spent the night in a hotel.

“This Friday morning, smoke detectors truly saved lives,” LFD said in the statement, encouraging residents to check and maintain their smoke detectors.

“What people don’t realize is that if you don’t have a smoke detector and your house catches fire while you’re sleeping, there’s a really good chance you’ll never wake up,” Mike Baird, Lebanon Fire Department chief deputy, said for a previous story. “You’re in a deep sleep and you breathe in smoke and go deeper and deeper to sleep and just never wake up. A lot of people fall asleep and never wake up.”

Smoke detectors sometimes even alert neighbors, who can then help residents and call 911.

People rely on smoke detectors to alert them before it’s too late but often fail to maintain their smoke detectors and boost their chances of survival.

Some smoke detectors are hard-wired into homes but have battery backups. Some run solely on batteries that should be changed every six months, and some have 10-year batteries. Some include carbon monoxide detectors.

But all varieties of smoke detectors fail at or before the 10-year mark and should be replaced before that.

Smoke detectors fail mechanically after about eight years and should be replaced by then, or sooner, Zionsville Fire Department Public Educator Vincent Randolph told a group of senior citizens recently.

It’s easy to have a false sense of security, he said, because the wiring and batteries may continue to function properly and flicker reassurance at correct intervals. But the sensor that detects smoke particles quits working. So, the battery may have life, but the smoke detector won’t sound an alarm when smoke is present.

“They just literally wear out,” LFD Chief Chuck Batts said for a previous story.

Lebanon and Zionsville are among many fire departments that will send firefighters to test smoke detectors, answer questions and suggest placement.

They will also install smoke detectors for those who need help. Lebanon and Zionsville departments have a limited number of free smoke detectors for those in need, as do many departments.

“What people don’t realize is that if you don’t have a smoke detector and your house catches fire while you’re sleeping, there’s a really good chance you’ll never wake up,” Mike Baird, Lebanon Fire Department chief deputy.

The Clarksville Challengers team is made up of players living with disabilities from across Southern Indiana. Clarksville Team Makes Little League Accessible to All

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