Smoke Alarms
Most people who die in a fire are in homes without a working smoke alarm. Most of these fire-related deaths occur at night when people are sleeping as the smell of smoke does not usually wake people up. The smoke alarm will wake you and help you get out safely before the poisonous gases in the smoke overtake you.
The Regina Fire Bylaw requires every home to be equipped with a working smoke alarm. They must be placed in every sleeping area.
Purchasing & Installing Home Smoke Alarms
- Replace your smoke alarm if it is over 10 years old.
- Install smoke alarms according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Maintaining Home Smoke Alarms
- Test your smoke alarm monthly.
- Replace batteries once a year.
- Clean your smoke alarm at least twice a year, using a vacuum cleaner to remove cobwebs and dust that can reduce the unit’s sensitivity.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colourless, odourless, tasteless and toxic gas. Exposure to CO can cause flu-like symptoms such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, burning eyes, confusion, drowsiness and even loss of consciousness. In severe cases, CO poisoning causes brain damage and death. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, you should have furnaces and other fuel-burning appliances in your home inspected regularly.
Carbon monoxide is a by-product of incomplete fuel combustion such as natural gas, propane, heating oil, kerosene, coal, charcoal, gasoline or wood. It can be created by any devices such as furnaces, room heaters, fireplaces, hot water heaters, stoves or grills and any gas powered vehicle or engine. The following can create unsafe levels of carbon monoxide (CO):
- Automobiles left running in attached garages.
- Gas barbecues operated inside your home.
- Grills or kerosene heaters that are not properly vented.
- Chimneys or vents that are dirty or plugged.
When properly installed, maintained and vented, the CO produced by these devices will not stay inside the home.
Installing Home Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- CO detectors should be located as near as possible to your bedrooms, where it can wake you if you are asleep. Where sleeping areas are located in separate parts of the home, a detector should be provided for each area.
- Unlike smoke, which rises to the ceiling, CO mixes with air. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for CO detector placement.
- To work properly, a detector should not be blocked by furniture, draperies or other obstructions to normal air flow.
Maintaining Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- Refer to the manufacturer's instructions for additional information regarding proper use and maintenance.
