Smoke Alarms

If You Haven't Checked Your Smoke Alarm Recently, Now is the Time to do so.

Smoke alarms can not only warn you of a fire but they can also protect you from harmful smoke emissions caused by poorly performing wood or oil burning appliances. Under certain conditions, flue gases from these appliances can sometimes spread through the house. For that reason, we suggest installing a fire alarm on every floor of your home and especially directly outside bedrooms in order to detect these dangers sooner. Check with your local municipality or fire department for smoke detector requirements in your particular area.

Many Alarms are no Longer Effective

Older alarms may not be as reliable as they once were since they do not have an infinite lifespan. The smoke detecting mechanism can become dirty and lose its sensitivity. Studies and surveys by fire officials indicate that in the absence of proper maintenance, and after a number of years, the reliability of most smoke alarms may be questionable.

Solutions

Removing dust and dirt can extend the lifespan of a smoke alarm. CMHC, along with fire officials across the country, recommend you gently vacuum your alarm regularly.

Also, testing it twice a year is also a good idea. However, this involves more than just hitting the test button that only tests the electronics and the buzzer, but does not check the smoke detection capabilities. To see if smoke sets off the alarm, hold a smoke generator such as a smoldering paper or string in an empty tin can up to the alarm.

Safer Operation

Newer alarms are equipped with mute buttons, a feature that is especially important for battery-operated alarms. If a battery operated alarm goes off because of shower mist or cooking fumes, many people remove the battery and forget to put it back. A mute button can silence the unit for a few minutes, avoiding the removal of a battery. A mute button on a wired-in alarm is also important as it shuts off the alarm after you have identified the cause of the smoke.

Recent statistics suggest as much as 25 per cent of battery-operated smoke alarms will not go off in the event of a fire due to missing or dead batteries. A properly operating alarm can provide real protection and greater peace of mind. That's why newer fire alarms are being designed with covers that won't close unless a battery is installed.

Source: CMHC