PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT
Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency Encourages Residents to Change Smoke Alarm Batteries Along with Clocks
(Friday, October 29, 2004)
- Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency encourages residents to change
smoke alarm batteries this weekend when they change their clocks.
HRFES also encourages residents to test smoke alarms (even electrical)
monthly.
Working smoke alarms can cut the chance of dying in a home fire
nearly in half by providing the extra time critical for safe escape.
Most home fires occur at night when people are sleeping. Most fire
fatalities are the result of smoke inhalation; lethal amounts of
smoke build long before the flames spread. Working smoke alarms
will alert residents while there is still time to get out alive.
The Halifax Regional Fire & Emergency requires a minimum of
at least one working smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and
on every level of the home. Also, if you have electrically operated
smoke alarms, it is strongly recommended that residents have a "battery
backup" smoke alarm.
Lithium battery smoke alarms are a new technology that has become
available. Because lithium batteries last approximately the length
of a smoke alarm (10 years), owners do not have to remember to change
batteries regularly. The alarms should still be tested on a regular
basis, however.
The Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency has an “Alarmed and
Ready Program” that supplies smoke alarms to residents who
do not have at least one working smoke alarm. Please contact 490-5590
or 490-5546 for information on this program.
SMOKE ALARMS - DON'T “LIVE” HOME WITHOUT THEM!
- 30 -
For further information contact:
Wayne Higgins or Kevin Thomas
Public Education Division
490-4017
higginw@halifax.ca
