With daylight savings time ending, it’s a great time to check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
- Test your smoke and CO alarms monthly
- Ensure everyone in the house knows what the alarms sound like and what to do when they hear it
- Change the batteries every six months
- Follow manual instructions for cleaning and maintaining the alarms
What To Do If the Alarm Sounds
- Have an escape plan. Discuss and practice it.
- Always feel the door to see if it is hot before opening it to escape. If the doorknob is hot, don’t use that exit. Use an alternate exit.
- Crawl on the floor. Smoke rises, so does the temperature. If you crawl on the floor, there will be less smoke and heat from the fire.
- Meet family members at a pre-arranged spot outside the home.
- Call 9-1-1 from a neighbour’s home.
- Never go inside (or return to) a burning building for any reason.
You can protect your family from fires!
Here’s a fire safety checklist to reduce the chances a fire may start in your home:
- Keep your furnace in good working order;
- Use a fireplace screen;
- Have proper ventilation for heaters and small appliances;
- Don’t smoke in bed;
- Close bedroom doors overnight;
- Don’t use worn out electrical wiring or run it under rugs or out windows or doors; and
- Clear away clutter!
Until next month, stay safe!
