A nation-wide smoke alarm test is being held on Sunday, Nov. 1 from 10—11 a.m. and the RDCK is encouraging all residents to participate.
“Testing your fire alarm and ensuring it works could save the lives of you and your loved ones,” says Terry Swan, regional fire chief for the RDCK.
To participate in the event, simply download, follow and confirm the completion of a simple four-step checklist available on www.safeathome.ca/powerhour. Homeowners will then have a chance to win a new Worry-Free smoke alarm or a large toy Sparky Dog.
Want to ensure your smoke alarm is effective? Follow these steps:
- Walk through your home to make sure you have a smoke alarm on every storey,including the basement, and outside all sleeping areas or inside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed.
- Check all smoke alarm expiry dates. If it is more than 10 years old, or the year it was made cannot be identified, replace the alarm.
- Press the test button on each smoke alarm. If it sounds, it confirms power is present and circuits are operating.
- For added protection, follow the same steps for carbon monoxide alarms.
If it’s time to replace your smoke alarm, consider buying one with a tamper-proof design, sealed 10-year lithium batteries that last the life of the alarm, and additional safety features such as built-in LED lighting to help illuminate your escape, sensors that reduce nuisance alarms and end-of-life warnings.
The Great Canadian Smoke Alarm Test is sponsored by the Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness and the Council of Canadian Fire Marshals and Fire Commissioners.
