National Fire Prevention Week is fast approaching! The week runs from October 6 – 12, and promises to help make homes safer both locally and beyond. Here in North Dundas, Fire Prevention is taken very seriously and is approached from many different angles.
Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind when we think “fire prevention” is smoke alarms. Smoke alarms are required by law in all residences – at least one on every level, and one outside of every sleeping area (such as a bedroom hallway). For added protection, it is recommended to install smoke alarms inside every bedroom.
Smoke alarms have a 10 year lifespan. The cost of replacing these invaluable devices once every 10 years is nothing compared to the peace of mind they provide. Smoke alarms literally save lives! Last weekend, September 28 marked Test Your Smoke Alarm Day across the province, with local firefighters available to come to residents’ homes and offer assistance upon request. Visits were available to be scheduled leading up to September 28 as well. Times staff member Nanda Wubs Huizenga was eager to sign up, and received her visit on September 25.
It’s important to note that not all smoke alarms last 10 years. Some may expire sooner, so it’s important to check the expiration date printed directly on the alarm. For smoke alarms that require batteries, they may need to be replaced more often – often a chime will periodically sound when a replacement is required. Get in the important habit of testing your smoke alarms once per month – it takes just a few seconds to press the test button!
Our local North Dundas firefighters deal with far more than just fires. They attend car accident scenes and other rescues as well, and are often the first on scene. One non-fire emergency that the fire department may be called out for is the sounding of a carbon monoxide alarm in a home or business. Carbon monoxide is an odourless and colourless poison that is the byproduct of combustion. It can make its way into homes that burn fossil fuels or wood for climate heating or water heating, and can also find its way into the inhabited part of the home via an attached garage if a vehicle is inadvertently left running inside. Smoke alarms are often 2 in 1 and include CO detecting capabilities as well, but if not, it’s important to install separate CO alarms in your home. Firefighters responding to a call can test CO levels in your home, but only if you are alerted to the problem before it’s too late! Remember, CO is a colourless and odourless poison that can cause death within minutes!
Yet another task of the North Dundas Fire Prevention department is to efficiently pass on recall information that may be applicable to preventing fires. For example, these recalls may be regarding electrical appliances that have been reportedly catching fire, or products advertised as flame resistant that are found to be defective and flammable. You can do your part by keeping yourself informed by checking for updates on the local fire service’s social media account, or on the Government of Canada website at https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en
Of course, even with the best prevention measures possible, tragedies can still occur. That’s why North Dundas is privileged to have a dedicated “After the Fire” document, which contains 25 pages of guidance for residents who have just been victimized by fire. This just goes to show that our amazing local fire department truly does not quit – they have our backs and will always see their job through, even going above and beyond.
This Fire Prevention Week in North Dundas, take the time to do your part. Plan and review fire procedures with your family, and make a schedule for testing your smoke alarms monthly. And if you get a chance, thank a firefighter for all the hard work they do to keep the community safe.