Working smoke alarms is the theme for this years Fire Prevention Week.
The national annual campaign takes place to educate everyone about fire safety.
Pitt Meadows Fire and Rescue are holding an open house this Saturday, Oct. 5.
“This is a great opportunity to meet your local firefighters and our partners in public safety, see the firetrucks and learn more about fire prevention. This year, we are focusing on the importance of having smoke alarms on every level of the home, and testing them regularly. Smoke alarms protect lives and property by giving you the crucial seconds needed to escape or prevent a fire,” said Pitt Meadows fire chief Stephan Drolet.
Online the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) an American non-profit, offers tips on how to install, test, and replace smoke alarms.
Smoke alarms should be in every bedroom, outside every separate sleeping area, and on each level of a home. They should be tested – at least – once a month by pushing the test button, and should be replaced when they are 10 years old or stop responding when tested, according to the association.
For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms. When one sounds, they all sound," the association notes in a tip sheet.
And smoke alarms should meed the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
There are two types of smoke alarms – ionization and photoelectric alarms. If you need extra time to wake up or to help others, the association recommends having both types of alarms in the house. An ionization smoke alarm is more responsive to flaming fires and a photoelectric smoke alarm is more responsive to smoldering fires.
Photoelectric smoke alarms are the best type of alarms to be installed near the kitchen and bathrooms to reduce nuisance alarms, noted the association.
Online the association has more literature on smoke alarm checklists, how to make a home fire escape plan, and a colouring sheet for children.
Fire Prevention Week runs from Sunday, Oct. 6, until Saturday, Oct. 12.
