Alarms
Smoke Alarms
Smoke Alarms Save Lives! Working smoke alarms provide you and your family members with an early warning in the event of a fire. There are different types of smoke alarms; wired into your home or battery powered. Wired smoke alarms although good, can also become unreliable in the event of a power failure. Be sure to install battery powered smoke alarms even if you have wired.
How many alarms do I need and where should I install them?
Smoke alarms should be installed in every hallway or floor, and in every bedroom of your home. When installing smoke alarms make sure to keep them away from things such as windows or ceiling fans. They will draw smoke away from your alarms sensor.
Do I have to maintain my smoke alarm?
Test alarms monthly. Batteries should be changed every six months. A good rule of thumb is to change the batteries in your smoke alarms when changing clocks for daylight savings. Smoke alarms should also be replaced entirely every five years.
What do I do if my smoke alarm goes off?
In the event your smoke alarm goes off because there is smoke in your home, make sure your family members are safe and then follow your home escape plan. Call 911!
NFPA.org's Smoke Alarm Section
Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colourless gas created when fuels (such as gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, oil and methane) burn incompletely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burns fuel are potential sources of carbon monoxide. Vehicles or generators running in an attached garage can also product dangerous levels of carbon monoxide.
- Place alarms closer to the ceiling, as carbon monoxide is lighter than air.
- CO alarms should be installed in a central location outside each separate sleeping area.
- Test CO alarms at least once a month and replace them according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- CO alarms should be either ULC or CSA approved.
- Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include severe headache, dizziness, mental confusion, nausea, or faintness. Many of these symptoms are similar to the flu, food poisoning or other illnesses.
NFPA.org's Carbon Monoxide Safety Section.
