Smoke alarms: a sound you can live with

During Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 3 to 9, the Province is
reminding British Columbians to test their smoke alarms and have a home
fire escape plan.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends installing smoke
alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on
every level of the home. Homeowners should also check the date of
manufacture on installed smoke alarms. If your alarm is more than 10
years old, it should be replaced.

In May of this year, the Province introduced new regulations under the
B.C. Fire Code requiring every private dwelling, hotel and motel room
in the province to be equipped with functioning smoke alarms. In homes
and buildings built prior to 1979, battery-operated smoke alarms may be
installed rather than hard-wired, interconnected devices.

Established in Canada in 1919, Fire Prevention Week is an annual event
during the week of Oct. 8, the date of one of the most significant
fires in North America, the 1871 Chicago Fire. The main objective is to
raise awareness of fire safety and keep the public informed.