Smoke detectors the focus of Fire Prevention Week

By Lethbridge Herald on October 9, 2024.

Alejandra Pulido-Guzman
LETHBRIDGE HERALD

This week marks Fire Prevention Week and Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services is reminding residents to check their smoke detectors to make sure they are working properly. 

Troy Hicks, Chief Fire Marshall with Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services said this year’s campaign theme is “smoke detectors, make them work for you.” 

“It’s a great opportunity to get out here into the public, to remind everybody out there the importance of smoke detectors. And as time goes on, their importance grows more and more due to the fact of the different types of materials people have in their homes,” said Hicks. 

He explained that around 20 years ago people had a lot more time to get out once their smoke detector went off, but now that time has been reduced to maybe a minute or two because of the flammable nature of the materials used in the manufacturing of furniture and other household items. 

Hicks added that this year through their fire prevention campaign they want to remind residents of the importance of having smoke detectors in good working condition in their homes. 

“We just want to remind people of some different safety tips about their smoke detectors. You should have smoke detectors mounted on every floor of your home, as well as in every sleeping quarters and in the hallway outside those sleeping quarters,” said Hicks. 

He said those smoke detectors are either battery operated or hardwired and when they start beeping people need to make sure of two things, that they have working batteries in them and they are not expired as smoke detectors usually have a 10-year lifespan. 

“The majority of hardwired smoke detectors also have a battery backup. 

“So even though they’re hardwired, it could still be beeping. So, if you’re starting to hear sounds every now and then, it’ll mean that either the detector is expired or the battery is going,” said Hicks.

He said if the smoke detector is expired, it needs to be replaced, so it is a good idea to check once a year.

“If they’re just battery operated, you can just go to any hardware store, buy another battery-operated detector and replace it that way. It needs to be on the ceiling. If they’re hardwired, I highly recommend you replace them with the same brand name of smoke detector,” said Hicks. 

He added that once a month people should be testing their smoke detectors. He showed reporters there is a “test” button on smoke detectors and it should be pressed once a month to make sure the detector is working properly. 

“I know this sounds annoying but it’s supposed to be so it’ll make you want to leave the house,” said Hicks.

He also recommends families with children to have an evacuation plan in place, to make sure every member of the household knows what to do if they hear the smoke detector go off, or in case of fire. 

“We need to make sure that when that detector goes off, they’re prepared to evacuate like they need to,” said Hicks. 

He also suggests that parents teach their kids to sleep with their bedroom door close as this will protect them from smoke and buys them a few extra minutes to get out if needed.