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Fire prevention reduces loss of life and property resulting from fire by eliminating fire hazards and enforcing the rules and regulations that are necessary for public safety. The Saanich Fire Department's fire prevention program includes fire investigations, public building inspections, code enforcement and public education initiatives.
Smoke kills people
A smouldering fire may go undetected for hours, especially when people are asleep. Such a fire will continue developing, giving off smoke and gases which may not be visible but which consume oxygen and replace it with toxic gases, such as carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide and hydrogen cyanide.
These killer agents can take effect before a sleeper is disturbed. An early warning system -- a smoke alarm -- is considered one of the most effective defenses against this situation.
Smoke Alarms
- Purchase one or more smoke alarms.
- Install alarms properly.
- Identify escape routes and practice escaping.
- Maintain your alarms.
How do smoke alarms work?
Smoke alarms work by sensing the rising smoke from a fire and sounding an alarm. They can detect smoke far from the origin of the fire. Smoke alarms are most valuable at night, alerting family members to the presence of fire when they are asleep.Smoke alarms can alert the occupants in the early stages of a fire while conditions are such that a safe evacuation is still possible.
Maintain your smoke alarm
Smoke alarms should be cleaned at least once every six months. They are to be tested at least once a year, and battery powered alarms are to have new batteries installed at least once a year. It is recommended that smoke alarms older than 10 years be replaced.
Practice your escape
Now that you have your first line of defense, your family should have an escape plan, because getting out may not be as easy as walking out the door. Plan and practice exit drills with at least two ways out from every room of your home. Make the escape drills as realistic as possible - pretend that certain exits are blocked, that there are no lights and that hallways are filling with smoke.Teach everyone to recognize the sound of the smoke alarm and what to do when they hear it. Never return to a burning building under any circumstance, and use a neighbour's phone for the emergency call to 9-1-1. Here are some key things to remember:
- If you encounter smoke, use your alternate exit.
- If you must escape through smoke, crawl low where the air is cooler and cleaner.
- If your clothing catches on fire - DO NOT RUN - instead STOP, DROP to the ground and ROLL to smother the flames.
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