Despite losing an hour when the clocks spring forward this weekend, the Charlottetown Fire Department (CFD) reminds people to make the time to check their smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
Smoke alarms are one of the best ways to prevent fire-related injuries or death and one should be placed on every level of your home and in every sleeping room. According to the National Fire Protection Association, almost three out of five home fire deaths were caused by fires in properties with no smoke alarms or smoke alarms that failed to operate.
Five tips for keeping your smoke alarm safe are:
- Gently vacuum your smoke alarm using the soft brush attachment as excess dust can trigger the sensor and cause a false alarm.
- Test all smoke alarms at least once a month by pressing the test button.
- Change the batteries immediately if you hear your smoke alarm ‘chirp’; do not disconnect it and leave it for another day.
- Never paint a smoke alarm or carbon monoxide detector, and do not install them near windows because a draft could interfere with their operation.
- Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
CFD also advises residents to store their new batteries properly to minimize fire hazards and asks that they recycle the old batteries properly to protect the environment. For information on recycling batteries and proper battery storage, visit: call2recycle.ca/recycleyourbatteries. You can also drop your old batteries off for recycling in the City Hall front lobby at 199 Queen St.
For more fire prevention tips or information about the Charlottetown Fire Department, visit: charlottetown.ca/fire.