NEW: Smoke Alarms required in homes, hotels and motels built before 1979
Smoke alarms are now required in homes, hotels and motels built before 1979 under new rules. The BC Government amended the provincial fire code to make battery-operated smoke alarms mandatory in older buildings, effective May 1, 2010
The Housing and Construction Standards section on the BC Governement's website has detailed information on the Smoke Alarm Rules.
Test your smoke alarms. If a fire starts in your home while you are asleep, you want to know about it immediately. Some homes are equipped with electrically connected smoke alarms that may not work when the power is out. Make sure your home has a battery-operated smoke alarm on every level.
It is a good idea to have a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector.
Home fires kill eight Canadians a week. While these fires represent 40 percent of all types of fires, they are responsible for 73 percent of fire deaths. Most of these deaths could be prevented by taking a few precautions. Follow these tips from Fire Prevention Canada to help protect you and your family from home fires.
| Every Month |
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Test your alarm: Press the button on your smoke alarm and keep it pressed down. The alarm should sound. |
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If your alarm has no button, it is outdated and must be replaced. |
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Another way to test the alarm is by holding a freshly extinguished candle under it. The alarm should sound within 20 seconds. |
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Let air circulate to get rid of the smoke and allow the alarm to turn off. |
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Twice a Year
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Change the batteries in all smoke alarms twice a year (for example, when you change your clocks in the fall and spring). |
| Every Two Years |
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Take the cover off and clean it with a damp cloth. |
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Carefully vacuum the inside of the alarm. |
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Put the cover back and make sure the alarm is working. |
| Every 10 Years |
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Replace your smoke alarm. Some models last as little as 5 years. |
| If the Smoke Alarm is Not Working |
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Replace the battery. |
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Check fuses and circuit-breakers, or call an electrician. There may be an electrical problem in your home. |
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If these steps do not help, the alarm may be defective. Replace it immediately. |
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When you take out the alarm battery, always replace it with another one immediately. |
Fire safety also depends on every member of the household knowing what to do and on having an escape plan. If you do not have an emergency plan, take a few minutes to create one today.
These tips have been brought to you by Public Safety Canada in cooperation with the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, with information provided by Fire Prevention Canada.
To learn more about how to prepare for a range of emergencies, visit the Government of Canada Get Prepared website, or follow us on Twitter.
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