Smoke alarms are first stop in fall safety check
When weather cools off, risk of fire increases
Every year, Fire Prevention Week — which this year, runs from Oct. 9 to Oct. 16 — focuses on a different theme. For 2016, it’ s about reminding everyone to change their smoke alarms at least every 10 years.
Most people remember to change the batteries in their smoke alarms twice a year — I do it when we change our clocks, which is coming up on Nov. 6. We also remind everyone to test and clean them monthly, no exception. Unfortunately, too many people forget that we need to be replacing our alarms, too.
Just like everything else, smoke alarms wear out. That’s why you should get them checked by a licensed electrical contractor every seven to 10 years. How long they last also depends on the manufacturer, so you should check the operator’s manual to make sure the smoke alarms in your home aren’t outdated.
How many smoke alarms you should have, and where they should be located, depends on your home.
For example, you should have a smoke alarm on every level of your house, and at least one in the main hallway directly outside sleeping areas. You should also have smoke alarms inside bedrooms, too — about a quarter of all house fires start in the bedroom. And they should be interconnected with the main alarm in the hallway, so if an alarm goes off in a bedroom, the main alarm in the hallway will go off, too.
There are also smoke alarms that have a strobe for the hearing impaired, which is smart thinking.
Smoke alarms shouldn’t be installed near any ventilation, or anywhere smoke and vapours are common, such as above stoves. Otherwise, the alarm could go off constantly, which might tempt some homeowners to unplug it — an absolute no- no — or ignore the alarm in a case of a real emergency.
Only a licensed professional should install or do any kind of maintenance work on your alarms. Getting a professional, such as a licensed electrical contractor, to come in and do an overall check of your home’s electrical is just smart — it can help prevent a potential electrical fire. About 20 per cent of all fires in Canada are electrical.
A licensed electrical contractor will make sure important electrical components in your home, such as wires and connections, are safe and in good working condition, and that everything is up to code.
We have some safety regulations when it comes to GFCIs ( ground fault circuit interrupters) and AFCIs ( arc fault circuit interrupt- ers) that weren’t in place 10 or 15 years ago. If your home is older than 10 years, or if previous owners did their own DIY projects, the electrical might not be up to code. For your own safety, get it checked. A real professional will also check your smoke alarms, which is a good idea as we move closer to winter.
Most house fires happen over the winter months, between December and March, and especially over the holidays. Why? For one, we do a lot of extra cooking over the holidays — most house f i res start in t he kitchen. Christmas lights can be unsafe, as can dry Christmas trees, candles and extra heating sources, such as roaring fires.
It ’s also i mportant to keep fire r esi s t ance in mind when doing your next renovation. Whenever possible, invest in fire- resistant materials, such as coated lumbers; high- quality, fireresistant insulation and drywall; and/or a metal roof. If you plan to add an income suite, it must have its own means of egress ( a safe and unobstructed exit), plus all the proper fire separations and fireproofing.
Fire prevention might seem like an extra chore, but when it comes to the health and safety of your family, it’s a no- brainer. Persistence pays off and consistency is key.
Get your annual checks, and run safety protocols monthly, which i ncludes testing your smoke alarms. You should also have an escape plan and practise it twice a year with your family. It should include things like what to do if you hear the alarm, what route to take in case of a house fire, emergency exits, who will help whom getting out, and a safe place to meet outside.