New Westminster residents invited to join in nation-wide smoke alarm test
New Westminster – The Great Canadian Smoke Alarm Test takes place Sunday, November 1st from 10:00am to 11:00am and all residents are invited to participate. Taking part could prevent a fire tragedy in our community. Homeowners simply download, follow, and confirm the completion of a simple four-step checklist available on www.safeathome.ca/powerhour.
The BC Minister of State for Emergency Preparedness, Naomi Yamamoto, and New Westminster Fire Chief Tim Armstrong are billing the event as the ‘Power Hour’ because proper maintenance of smoke alarms can have a major impact on preventing fires in the home.
Residents are encouraged to follow these steps:
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Walk through your home to make sure you have a smoke alarm on every storey, including the basement, and outside of all sleeping areas or inside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed.
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Check all smoke alarm expiry dates. If your alarm is more than 10 years old, you cannot identify the year it was manufactured, it should be replaced.
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Press the test button on each smoke alarm. If it sounds, power is present and circuits are operating.
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For added protection, follow the same steps for carbon monoxide alarms.
"We are asking every family in New Westminster to participate in the Power Hour and test all smoke alarms in the home and replace any that are more than 10 years old," says New Westminster Fire Chief Tim Armstrong.
People who confirm their participation online have a chance to win a new Worry-Free smoke alarm and a large-sized toy Sparky® Dog.
New Westminster Fire & Rescue Services recommends that homeowners take advantage of new smoke alarm technologies that help make upkeep easier, such as tamper-proof designs and sealed 10-year lithium batteries that last the life of the alarm. Additional safety features include built-in LED lighting to help illuminate your escape, sensors that reduce nuisance alarms, and end-of-life warnings that alert residents to when the alarm has expired.
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Media contact:
Rob Dick
Assistant Deputy Fire Chief
New Westminster Fire and Rescue Services
604 519-1013
rdick@newwestcity.ca
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