Smoke Alarms

Approved-type properly installed and maintained smoke alarms are critical life saving devices. While a smoke alarm won't prevent or extinguish a fire, it can save one's life. Smoke alarms are designed to warn of fire danger in time to allow for escape or call for help. The ear-piercing alarm of the smoke alarm may provide you and your family with the precious extra minutes that you need to escape, especially at night (when most fires occur).

When installing smoke alarms, the fire chief advises you to take the following steps:

1. Install at least one smoke alarm in the hall leading to the bedrooms
2. Consider installing additional smoke alarms, especially if your home has more than one level
3. Make sure smoke alarms are of a type approved by Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada or other recognized testing laboratory
4. If your alarms are battery operated, check the batteries often to make sure the units are operational.

Do Smoke Alarms Really Save Lives?

Most fatal home fires occur at night, while people are asleep. Poisonous gases and smoke from a fire in your home can numb the senses in a very short time.

Every home needs a device that can wake people up in time to escape from a fire. Of all the low-cost fire alarm devices you can buy, the Fire Chief considers smoke alarms to be the most effective.

How To Choose A Smoke Alarm

There are dozens of reputable brands of smoke alarms readily available. No matter where you buy your alarms or what type they are, be sure to buy only ones carrying the mark of an organization that tests and evaluates products.

Any labeled smoke alarm offers protection - whether it's powered by batteries or household current, whether it's photoelectric or ionization device.

Be sure to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for installation, testing and maintenance. This is very important.

How Many Do I Need?

According to the accepted Standard on Household Fire Warning Equipment (NFPA 74), minimum protection requires smoke alarms outside each bedroom and on each additional story of the house. This includes the basement.

For additional protection, the Fire Chief recommends that you install alarms inside each bedroom, the dining room, furnace room, utility room and hallways. If your family sleeps with bedrooms doors closed, it's especially important to install alarms inside the bedrooms. Alarms are also recommended for kitchens, attics (finished or unfinished) and garages. Be sure you can hear alarms from each bedroom.

Where And How Should I Install My Smoke Alarms?

Most smoke alarms can be installed easily. Most operate either on batteries or household current. A alarm that plugs into a wall outlet must have a restraining device so that the plug cannot accidentally be pulled from the wall. Alarms can also be hard-wired into the electrical system. But never hard-wire a alarm to a circuit that can be turned off at a wall switch.

Because smoke rises, each alarm should be mounted high on a wall or on the ceiling to detect the first traces of smoke. For a wall-mounted unit, the top of the alarm should be 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling. A ceiling-mounted alarm should be placed at least 4 inches from any wall In a room with a high pitched ceiling, mount the alarm on or near the ceiling's highest point.

Most home fires start in living areas - the den, family room or living room. On a floor with no bedrooms, install the required alarm in or near the living area. If a stairway leads to an upper story, install the alarm in the path where smoke would travel up the stairs.

Don't install a alarm near a window, door or air register where drafts could reduce its sensitivity.

Locate a basement smoke alarm close to the stairway leading to the floor above. But don't install the alarm at the top of the basement stairs: dead air space near the door may prevent smoke from reaching the alarm.

Maintaining Your Smoke Alarms

It's extremely important to test and clean all alarms regularly.

Replace the batteries according to the manufacturer's recommendations - or at least once a year. Warn everyone in your household to leave working batteries in smoke alarms - resist temptation to borrow them for other purposes.

Never paint a smoke alarm. Because cobwebs and dust can impair a alarm's sensitivity, vacuum your alarms at least once a week to make sure you're protected.

What Happens When The Fire Alarm Sounds?

Being awakened by a smoke alarm can be a frightening and disorienting experience even for adults - so plan your escape before it an emergency.

First of all, make sure everyone knows what your smoke alarm sounds like. So test it in front of the entire family.

Plan at least two ways out from each room - especially the bedrooms. Agree on a place to meet outside the house or apartment building so you'll know when everyone is out.

Have everyone rehearse the plan regularly.

In case of a real fire, get out of the house immediately. Once at the meeting place, have one person go to a neighbours phone to call the fire department by dialling 9-1-1. In addition to telling them your name and address, tell them if anyone is still in the house.

Fire safety In Your Home Starts Immediately!

In combination with a family escape plan, properly installed and maintained smoke alarms can save lives in case of fire.

Smoke alarms save lives!

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