The National Fire Protection Association is urging people to have working smoke alarms in their homes.
Fire Prevention Week in Canada happens each year during the second week of October. This year, the theme of the association’s 2024 campaign is Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work For You.
According to the association, smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by more than half. At present, roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes without smoke alarms, or with no working smoke alarms.
The campaign urges people to install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside every sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
Smoke alarms should be tested regularly, including alarms with 10-year lithium-ion batteries. The test can be done by pushing the 'Test' button on the alarm. New batteries should be installed at least once a year.
Smoke alarms should be replaced when they are 10 years old or when they do not respond when being tested.
Most fatal home fires happen at night, when people are sleeping. The smell of smoke may not wake a sleeping person, and the poisonous gases released during a fire can numb the senses and put a person into a deeper sleep.
Those purchasing smoke alarms should check to ensure they have been tested to the CAN/ULC S531-M standard by an approved testing agency.
