Tyler Moffitt
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The Fort Frances Fire & Rescue Service wants you to “push two buttons” to test all of your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in your home.
Push the buttons for 10 seconds. If the alarm doesn’t sound, it’s time to replace the batteries.
Replace the entire alarm if the it still doesn’t sound after new batteries are installed.
Test your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms monthly.
If they are battery-powered, change the batteries at least once a year.
Check the date on the alarms and replace them within the timeframe indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions.
Take a photo or “selfie” of yourself and show your friends on social media that you’ve checked your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms.
The push is on to test as many smoke and carbon monoxide alarms as possible!
“This is a fun way to involve kids in fire safety at home, and to remind everyone about the importance of regularly testing their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms,” said Fort Frances Fire Chief/CEMC Tyler Moffitt.
“When you change your clocks, it’s time to check your alarms, too,” he noted.
“Working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms save lives,” Chief Moffitt added. “It’s as simple as that.”
He said it’s also important to have a home escape plan.
“When a fire occurs, there is no time to waste,” Chief Moffitt stressed.
“That is why it is so important to sit down with your family today and make a step-by-step plan for escaping from a fire.”
Draw a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of every room–especially sleeping areas.
Discuss the escape routes with every member of your household.
Agree on a meeting place outside your home, where every member of the household will gather to wait for the fire department.
This allows you to count heads and inform the fire department if anyone is trapped inside the burning building.
Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.
Meanwhile, the Fort Frances Fire & Rescue Service will be raising awareness about the importance of testing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at Safeway this Saturday (March 10) from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
