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Maintenance and Installation of Smoke Alarms |
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Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives!
It is crucial that smoke alarms are installed correctly and maintained. Here are some helpful tips in keeping them working correctly and keeping you and your family safe.
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Buying the best alarm.
There are many types of smoke alarms, each with different features. Alarms can be electrically connected, battery powered or a combination of both. This combination – and a pause feature to reduce nuisance alarms – is highly recommended. |
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One smoke alarm is not enough.
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and near sleeping areas. If you or your loved ones sleep with bedroom doors closed, install an alarm inside each bedroom. |
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Where to install smoke alarms.
Because smoke rises, you should place alarms on the ceiling. If you cannot do this, place them high up on a wall, according to manufacturer’s instructions. There are certain locations to avoid such as near bathrooms, heating appliances, windows, or close to ceiling fans.
nuisance alarms |
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Test your smoke alarms regularly. Every month, test your smoke alarms, using the alarm test button. Every six months test your alarms using smoke from a smouldering cotton string. Follow your owner’s manual. |
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Change your clock, change your battery. Install a new battery of the proper type at least once a year. If the low battery warning beeps, replace the battery immediately. We change our clocks each spring and fall so this is a good time to change your smoke alarm batteries too. |
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Gently vacuum alarm every six months.
Dust can clog a smoke alarm, so carefully vacuum the inside of a battery powered unit using the soft bristle brush. If electrically connected, shut off the power and vacuum the outside vents only. Restore power and test unit when finished. |
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Smoke alarms don’t last forever. Smoke alarms do wear out, so if you think your alarms are more than 10 years old, replace them with new ones. Why not replace them with long-life smoke alarms that will eliminate the need for annual battery replacement and the potential hazard of dead batteries for up to 10 years? |
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Plan your escape. Make sure that everyone knows the sound of the smoke alarm and what to do if a fire occurs. Regularly practice your home fire escape plan. Know two ways out of every room and have a pre-arranged meeting place outside. Once out, stay out and call the fire department from a neighbour’s home. |
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Posting created by: Ambulance and Fire group.
Last updated: Thursday, January 19, 2012 |
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