Consumer News
Avoid Fire and Carbon Monoxide Tragedies
By
Feb 4, 2009, 22:51

Fires and Carbon Monoxide poisonings can be prevented. Learn how you can make the difference in home safety.


(NC)-Canadians in cities and towns across the country are evaluating their own home safety in the wake of a deadly winter that saw accidental carbon monoxide poisonings and fires dominate the headlines.

In many instances, fire officials found there were no smoke alarms or carbon monoxide alarms present in the home at the time of the tragedy. In other cases, alarms had been disconnected, had their batteries removed, or had been removed from the ceiling or wall completely.

Public safety officials say that although communities touched by these tragedies are still reeling from their losses, the lives were not lost in vain.

"Significant tragedies like the ones we saw this winter serve as a wake-up call," says Carol Heller, a home safety specialist with Kidde Canada, this country's largest manufacturer of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. "People reassess their own home's safety to ensure smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are installed where they should be, are not out of date, and have full power."

For proof that having working smoke and CO alarms actually saves lives, Heller points to stories of near-misses that had happy endings instead of tragic ones.

"In addition to heartbreaking stories, we had others this winter where alarms went off and gave families the time they needed to escape safely," she says. "In one instance, alarms were brand new and sitting on a kitchen table awaiting installation and they went off during the night, averting tragedy."

When conducting neighborhood inspections, or following an incident, fire departments are shocked to still find homes with no CO or smoke alarms. They are equally disturbed at the numbers of alarms they find that have been tampered with.

"Most people remove batteries from their smoke alarms if they go off due to cooking or shower steam," Heller says. "But with today's advanced technology, there is no excuse to put your family at risk this way. Simply installing the correct alarms in the proper locations can reduce false alarms significantly, and, you can also buy alarms with 10-year batteries that never need to be replaced for the life of the alarm."

Heller notes that homeowners should only purchase smoke alarms equipped with a "Hush" button that, when pushed, silences a false alarm temporarily so steam or smoke from burnt food can be cleared. The alarm will re-sound if a real fire is detected, and at the end of the "Hush" period, the alarm resets itself.

Heller also points out that there are two types of smoke alarms available, ionization alarms and photoelectric alarms. Testing shows that for kitchens, photoelectric alarms are the best choice as they are sensitive to slow smoldering and other fires typical of this area of your home.

"Technology is important," Heller says, "but common sense still rules when it comes to protecting your family. Always inspect, clean and test your smoke and CO alarms each month and change the batteries at least once per year. And remember, alarms wear out! Replace smoke alarms every 10 years and CO alarms every 5-7 years, as recommended by the National Fire Protection Association, whether they are battery operated or wired into your home's electrical system."

More home safety tips can be found on the www.SafeAtHome.ca web site.

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