Calgary, AB,
05
March
2020
|
15:39
America/Denver

Calgary Fire Department reminds Calgarians to change the batteries and test their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms

On this evening of Saturday March 7, before heading to bed, citizens will be turning their clocks forward an hour. As residents move from clock to clock in their homes, the Calgary Fire Department encourages you to take a few extra moments to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Once you've done that, push the test button to ensure they are working. It is recommended that battery operated alarms have the batteries changed at least annually. 

As the Calgary Fire Department has witnessed on many occasions, working smoke alarms can be the difference between life and death. A report issued in January 2019 by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), found that "the risk of dying in reported home structure fires is 54% lower in homes with working smoke alarms than in homes with no alarms or none that worked"www.nfpa.org

All smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, whether battery operated or hardwired, should be tested monthly. Smoke alarms should be replaced when they reach 10 years of age. Carbon monoxide alarms can have varied life spans so check the expiry date. Plan, discuss and practice your home escape plan with everyone in your residence.

Be sure to remind your family and friends to do the same. Smoke alarms save lives.

For more information about smoke alarms, visit www.calgary.ca/fire

                                                                                                               -30-