Fire-safety

It is so important that your home is equipped with the right warning / alarm devices, so you and your loved-ones are safe.  Just the other week four people died in a terrible fire in the east end and another person died due to carbon monoxide escaping into the house. Big THANK YOU to Sam from the Fire Department for putting this together for us. Please read it, save it, print it, reread it and pass it on. 

Smoke Alarms Do Save Lives

Smoke alarms must be installed on every floor of your home and outside all sleeping areas.

For added protection install smoke alarms in every bedroom.

Test smoke alarms monthly and change the batteries at least once a year.

Carbon Monoxide Awareness -- Beat the Silent Killer!

• Carbon monoxide is an extremely dangerous gas that you cannot see, smell or taste.
• Make sure your home is safe from carbon monoxide poisoning. 
• If your home has a fuel burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage install a carbon monoxide alarm adjacent to all sleeping areas.
• For added protection install a carbon monoxide alarm on every floor of your home.
• If your apartment/condo has a fuel burning appliance install a carbon monoxide alarm.
• If your building has a service room, a carbon monoxide alarm must be installed in the service room and adjacent to all sleeping areas of any apartment/condo units located above, below or beside that service room. The same rule applies if your building has a garage.

Only working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms give you the warning of the presence of smoke and the dangerous gas carbon monoxide.

Interconnected Smoke Alarms                                                                                                                                                                                       Wireless Battery Powered Smoke Alarm allows for the easy installation of an interconnected smoke alarm system without the high cost and hassle of rewiring your home. The alarms are wirelessly linked so that when one alarm is triggered, all alarms will sound. This alarm can also be placed in a detached workshop or shed and linked into the home's interconnected system.

When one alarm sounds, they all sound, providing an early warning against fire by dramatically increasing your ability to hear an alarm anywhere in your home, regardless of where the fire starts. Newer homes are required by code to have interconnected alarms. Wireless technology now enables any home to have an interconnected system.

There are two wireless product options: a Battery Powered Smoke Alarm, and an AC Powered Smoke Alarm. These products enable you to customize your system based on your specific needs. 

Wireless Smoke Alarms enable you to extend the coverage and protection of interconnected smoke alarms without any need for additional wiring. This alarm uses ionization sensing technology. Ionization sensing alarms may detect invisible fire particles (associated with flaming fires) sooner than photoelectric alarms. Photoelectric sensing alarms may detect visible particles (associated with smoldering fires) sooner than ionization alarms.

Combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms offer protection from two deadly threats in one unit. Combination alarms can save space. The alarms are powered by sealed long life lithium batteries that are good for up to ten years

Use the Hush Feature

Smoke alarms are available with a pause or hush button that can be used to temporarily silence the alarm. This is a convenient way to deal with nuisance alarms, such as those caused by burning toast or opening smoky ovens, without disabling the alarm. The hush button will silence the alarm for several minutes and then automatically reset itself. Smoke alarms with this feature discourage the dangerous practice of removing the battery or disconnecting the power source as a method of dealing with frequent nuisance alarms. When purchasing smoke alarms, look for alarms with a hush feature, especially if the alarm will be installed near a kitchen or bathroom.

It should be noted that many alarms with a hush feature will chirp intermittently while in hush mode. The chirping will stop once the alarm resets itself.

If smoke continues to build from a real fire while the alarm is in hush mode, the smoke will override the silence feature and the smoke alarm will resound.

 Smoke alarms in kitchens are prone to react to combustion particles from toasters or ovens. Moving the smoke alarm from the kitchen to a hallway outside the cooking area could eliminate troublesome nuisance alarms. Please note that battery-operated alarms can be easily relocated by the homeowner, however moving electrically-connected alarms will require the services of a certified electrician.

Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for more information about the correct placement and installation of smoke alarms.

Try a Different Type of Smoke Alarm

Smoke alarms commonly use one of two types of technology to detect the presence of smoke in the air: ionization or photoelectric.

Ionization Smoke Alarms                                                                                                                                                                           This type of smoke alarm uses a small amount of radioactive material that ionizes the air between two electrically charged plates, causing a measurable current to flow between the plates. When smoke enters the chamber, it changes the flow of current, which is detected and activates the alarm. Ionization alarms may be more prone to nuisance alarms caused by cooking activities.

Photoelectric Smoke Alarms                                                                                                                                                                     This type of alarm uses a light source that is aimed away from a sensor in a sensing chamber. When smoke enters the chamber it reflects the light onto the sensor, which is detected and activates the alarm. Photoelectric alarms may be less prone to nuisance alarms caused by cooking activities.

If you experience frequent nuisance alarms from an ionization type smoke alarm located near the kitchen, try replacing it with a photoelectric type smoke alarm.

Maintain Your Smoke Alarms

Only working smoke alarms can save your life! Smoke alarms require some simple maintenance to keep them in good working order. These tips will help to make sure your alarms perform as intended-when you need them the most:

Test Smoke Alarms Monthly                                                                                                                                                                       Test your smoke alarms every month by using the test button on the alarm. When the test button is pressed, the alarm should sound.

If battery-operated smoke alarms fail to sound when tested, make sure that the battery is installed correctly, or install a new battery.

If electrically-connected smoke alarms fail to sound when tested, make sure the power is turned on to the unit.

If the alarm still fails to sound, replace the smoke alarm with a new one.

Change the Batteries Every Year                                                                                                                                                              Install a new battery at least once a year, or as recommended by the manufacturer. Install a new battery if the low-battery warning sounds, or if the alarm fails to sound when tested.

Beware of Chirping Smoke Alarms                                                                                                                                                              All battery-operated smoke alarms emit a warning sound, usually an intermittent “chirp”, when the battery power is low. When you hear this sound, it’s time to replace the battery. The smoke alarm will continue to work even though it is chirping, so do not remove the battery until you replace it with a new one. The warning signal itself will eventually stop after a few days, so smoke alarms should be tested when you return from an extended absence in case the battery has died.

Vacuum Alarms Annually                                                                                                                                                                          Dust can affect your smoke alarms. Battery-powered smoke alarms should be cleaned by opening the cover of the alarm and gently vacuuming the inside with a soft bristle brush.

For electrically-connected smoke alarms, first shut off the power to the unit, and then gently vacuum the outside vents of the alarm only. Turn the power back on and test the alarm.

Replace Older Smoke Alarms                                                                                                                                                                      All smoke alarms wear out. Replace smoke alarms according to manufacturers’ recommendations

Plan & Practice Your Escape

Working smoke alarms will alert you to a fire in your home but to safely escape, everyone must know what to do when the alarm sounds. In a fire, every second counts. It is critical that you have a fire escape plan in place.

So while working smoke alarms will alert you to a fire in your home, to escape safely everyone must know what to do when the alarm sounds. The following exercise will help you and your family develop a plan that will allow everyone to safely escape:

• Walk through each room of your home with everyone in the family. Look at all the possible exits and discuss how each one can be used in a fire emergency. For example, windows are only a practical alternative if they can be easily opened and safely exited.
• Discuss the actions each person will take when the smoke alarm sounds. Consider who will be responsible for young children or other persons who may require assistance.
• Young children should understand that they must never hide if there is a fire. They should be told they must yell loudly so adults know where they are, or go to a parent’s or caregiver’s room, if it is nearby and safe to do so.
• Establish a meeting place outside the home where everyone can assemble. This will help to prevent undue concern and confusion. Once outside, stay outside. Never re-enter a burning building.
• When you have safely exited the home call 9-1-1.

Draw a floor plan of your home, identifying all rooms on each floor. Mark all exits that could be used to evacuate in a fire emergency. Don’t forget to identify a safe location outside as a meeting place where everyone can assemble.

Kitchen Fire Safety

• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, boiling, grilling or broiling food on your stovetop.
• Be alert when cooking and keep children away from the stove.
• Keep anything that can catch fire such as oven mitts, wooden utensils and other items away from the top of your stove.
• Be extra careful when cooking if you're tired or if you have consumed alcohol.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing while cooking. Loose clothing can make contact with heating elements and easily catch fire.
• Keep a lid or a baking sheet close by when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, smother the flames by sliding the lid or baking sheet over the pot/pan. Then turn the stove off.              
• NEVER move a pot or pan that is on fire.
• NEVER put water on a grease fire as this will cause an explosion!
• If you have an oven fire turn off the heat and keep the oven door CLOSED.
• If you have any doubt about fighting a small fire get outside and call 9-1-1.

Electrical Fire Safety

• Check cords for damage such as fraying or nicks. A damaged cord can expose wires and result in potential shock or fire hazard.
• Avoid running cords under rugs which can damage the cord and cause a fire.
• Extension cords should only be used as a temporary connection. If permanent wiring is required, have additional outlets installed by a licensed electrician.
• Extension cords should not be linked together, use an extension cord that is long enough.
• Avoid overloading a circuit with octopus outlets.

Candle Safety

• Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Avoid the use of candles in the bedroom and other areas where people may fall asleep.
• Keep candles at least 1 foot (30 centimeters) away from anything that can burn.
• Use candle holders that are sturdy, and won’t tip over easily.
• Put candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface.
• Light candles carefully. Keep your hair and any loose clothing away from the flame.
• Don’t burn a candle all the way down, put it out before it gets too close to the holder or container.
• Never use a candle if oxygen is used in the home.
• Never use water to put out a candle as this will cause an explosion, just cover it.