October 3 – 9 is Fire Prevention Week and Red Deer Emergency Services wants to remind you to learn the sounds of fire safety to help keep you and your family safe.
Smoke alarms are one of the most important means of preventing fire fatalities by providing an early warning so you and your families can escape. It’s important to learn the different sounds of alarms in your home, and to ensure everyone in the home understands the sounds of the alarms and knows how to respond. To learn the sounds of your specific alarms, check the manufacturer’s instructions that came in the box, or search the brand and model online.
Here are a few tips to ensure your alarms are effective:
- Install a smoke alarm and carbon monoxide alarm on each level of your home, near sleeping areas.
- Make sure your alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
- Test your alarms every month by pressing the “Test” button on the face of the alarm
- Change the batteries in your alarms once each year.
- Replace all smoke alarms after 10 years.
- Keep alarms clean by removing dust and debris from around the unit. This will help prevent false alarms as sometimes the sensing chamber triggers when too much dust has accumulated inside.
During Fire Prevention Week, RDES also wants to remind Red Deerians to always dispose of smoking materials properly, as many fires in our city are caused by improperly disposed of cigarette butts. Whenever you smoke, use deep, sturdy ashtrays. If ashtrays are not available, use a metal can or pail. Never empty smoking material directly into a trashcan, and never throw out cigarettes into vegetation, potted plants or landscaping, as they can easily catch fire.
For more fire safety tips, check out The City’s Home Safety Booklet available at https://www.reddeer.ca/media/reddeerca/city-services/ambulance-fire-public-safety/fire-prevention/Home-Safety-Program---Fire-and-Injury-Prevention-Guide.pdf.
For more information about Fire Prevention Week, visit www.nfpa.org/fpw.
For more information, contact:
Corporate Communications
The City of Red Deer