Fire Prevention Week is October 3-9, 2010
Ensuring your smoke alarm is in proper working order could mean the difference between life and death. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a reported fire in half.
Here are some tips on ways to ensure your smoke alarm is working properly.
1. Replace all smoke alarms every 10 years with a ULC (Underwriters Laboratory Canada) approved smoke alarm. Replace sooner if it does not work properly when tested.
2. Interconnection of smoke alarms is highly recommended; when one smoke alarm sounds, they all do.
3. It is recommended to dust the outside of your smoke alarm periodically.
4. Test your smoke alarm at least once a month. Use smoke (eg. from a candle) to ensure that the alarm is detecting it properly; pushing the button only indicates that there is an electrical charge being delivered to the alarm.
5. Are you smoke alarms installed correctly?
6. Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home (including the basement) and outside each sleeping area. Never remove or disable smoke alarms.
7. Make sure your home has dual-sensor smoke detectors (for smoldering fires and ones with flames).
"Smoke alarms: A sound you can live with" is the theme for this year's Fire Prevention Week. Fire Prevention Week runs from October 3 to 9.
Further information
emergencyservices@strathcona.ab.ca
Last updated: Thursday, March 17, 2011
Page ID: 2380