Smoke Alarms

[JGallagher]

Just a thought? How many people here have all of there Smoke Detectors in there house working? I know I dont. I am on the move to get some more. What am I looking at for price?

[firecadet911]

Hey,

To answer the first part of your question: all the smoke detectors where i live are working.
To answer the second part of your question: I've seen some as cheap as $7.99 and upwards of $25. Just remember though, you get what you pay for. I personally would trust a slightly more expensive detector.

I have a question I would like to add to this topic: how many people have working CO detectors?? I don't
:eek:

[LTPVFD]

Mine are checked at least twice a year - in the spring and fall at time change. Also checked on the odd occasion when something in the oven gets overcooked. :(


LTPVFD

[wilderness]

To be honest we just completed a "smoke alarm for life program" here, and my own smoke alarms were all working, now i manage a hardware store, you can spend almost any amount on a smoke alarms, honest to god, $5.25 to $175.00 now the $5.25 will tell you that you have smoke in the house and if you burn toast you will have to wave a towel under it for a minute or so, now one that cost $19.00 might have a pause feature, so if you do burn water you can hit the button, and it will take a time out for a few minutes.... and then the dual purpose alarms carbon monoxide and smoke are awesome, they will run around $35.00
i trust the $5.25 alarm but i also have a better quality alarm in the house as well.......

[Kirk]

We have 4 detectors in the house, all in strategic locations as well as 2 co detectors, one down stairs and one in our bedroom.
All are tested twice a year when we change the batteries. As FF we should all practice what we preach to the public. We have to set the example and try to raise the safety bar if we can.

[Red_Devil]

Gallagher buddy, your should have working smoke detectors in all yours of your house, they are cheap and can save your family. You call yourself a firefighter so you should lead by example and have your home well stocked with smoke alarms

[JGallagher]

Originally posted by Red_Devil
Gallagher buddy, your should have working smoke detectors in all yours of your house, they are cheap and can save your family. You call yourself a firefighter so you should lead by example and have your home well stocked with smoke alarms

I relize that. I did not know that mine was not working until recently. I am not a rich man so I cant afford to up and buy one.

[Red_Devil]

for 8 dollars isnt your family worth it??

[Fireknight]

There are programs through fire prevention that will supply dectors if you can not afford to buy them, I agree with RD, in todays day age 10 bucks to save your life.... a pretty cheap investment I think...maybe ask the family in the Niagra region about no smoke dectors, after they lost all their children.

As firefighters be it volunteer or career we must practice what we preach.

[JGallagher]

I went out and bought the one I needed today!!

[bestcoast]

Mine are hard wired in. :D :cool: :D

[Michael13]

As a student who is in the fire prevention/protection field, and I hope to become a Fire Prevention Officer some day, I can't stress smoke alarms enough. It is law to have a working smoke detector in every home. So many people ask why they are needed. Its just all to sad to see people not make it out. Years ago it was beleived that a person has 3 -4 mins once the detector goes off. That has changed. 1 minute! thats all. hear it go off, get out. With products containg so many plastics and man made fibres, fires spread so quickly these days. I've also heard that CO detectors are useful in a fire, since almost all fires produce CO. I've heard in some cases that the CO detector has even gone off before the smoke detector on the ceiling. We all know that CO is the silent killer, but I also believe fire is. Without smoke detectors, you will never wake up, and the smoke will over come you. And any new home builders out there, you should really consider home sprinklers. They can save your life as well as your home. I am not sure on this, but I do believe no one has ever died in a properly sprinklered home. Smoke alarms should be hard wired, but also need a battery back up! I am preaching this to you all of you, and you all know this of course. More fire prevention is needed. Just when the Fire Marshalls office said fire deaths are going down, the fire in the Niagra region happened, and we all recieved letters to encourage fire prevention. I believe volunteer departments need to make a 'prevention' night, along with their monthly training nights. Our FPO says he has no time to do fire inspections. Why not pay your members to do inspections? Not all ff's are trained to the level of FPO, but anyone can check for batteries in smoke alarms, clutter in hallways, blocked exits, unsafe conditions right? This all needs to be stepped up. People are smart, but there is always stupid ones, and lots of people dont get the picture. Stay safe, and most of all promote saftey in your community. We need to make fire deaths a BIG 0!!!!!!!!

[Hamp42]

Hard wired are nice, but if the power goes out, what then?? Battery back-up should be an option. All of mine work including the ADT system alarm (a favourite among police and fire depts everywhere).
You do get what you pay for. A fairly good one for about $15.00 is made by Kidde. It even has a hush buttom so you don't have to pull the battery for those nuisance alarms.

[FFWannabe]

I have three working smoke detectors in the house.. one outside the kitchen in the hallway (which goes off often because it's heat sensitive), one in the doorway/stairway as you enter the house and one near the bedrooms. They're well placed (it's an upstairs apartment in an older house).
I have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and I am getting a CO detector for the main hallway and an emergency ladder for my daughter's bedroom window (it's the only window with a straight drop... no roof to jump on or to look out for if it's burning).
We also have a complete fire escape plan, with four different options depending on where the fire/thick smoke might be.

So, maybe it's a little overkill... but I'd rather that than the alternative... early detection and getting out means more to me than the time it takes to plan and practice!

Sue :)

[wilderness]

Sue............. now you got me thinking......................

[FFWannabe]

Originally posted by wilderness
Sue............. now you got me thinking......................

That's what I'm here for! ;)

Sue :)

[JGallagher]

I am just glad that there is not one in the garage when I BBQ. The FD would always be here.

[scoop422]

JG do you actually BBQ in your garage?

[colin911]

JG - BBQing in the garage can lead to a build up of CO in the house.
Hopefully you bought a CO detector at the same time as your smoke detector.

[iamvff]

Maybe it's an unattached garage!!

Be safe,
iamvff

[Michael13]

Sue, thats pefect. Everyones kids need to know where to go and how to get there. I also recommened a smoke alarm in laundry rooms, if they are not in the open. Also one in your furnace/utility room is a good idea. But there must be one outside all sleeping areas. Even if child has their room in the basement, and their siblings are upstairs with the rest of the family. Alot of people dont think of that one. And yes CO detectors are great. 5 - 10 more years and that will be in the Ontario Fire Code I think too.

[FFWannabe]

I'll have to check the basement and see if there is one down there. Good thinking... I have my apartment covered, but hadn't thought of the basement... There is one outside my apartment door as well, but I'm going to run into the downstairs apartment (it's empty) and make sure the ones in there are working as well.
I like the idea of CO detectors being code, it really only makes sense... I'll be shopping at Can Tire this weekend it seems! :)

Sue :)

[colin911]

CO detectors are a by-law in many, if not all Ontario municipalities.
At least 1 has to be in the house, and if you have a basement apartment you must provide one for them as well as for the upstairs portion.

[wilderness]

Talking about smoke alarms......just changed the battery in the alarm when the time changed.....last night 3 o,clock i here this beeeeeeeeeeep beeeeeeeeep still half a sleep and for those who know me " shut up" looked all over the house for what ever was making the noise...... low and behold its me smoke alarm so My wife wouldn,t let me disconnect it...so there i am at -41 deg running out the truck starting it up and driving to work to get another 9volt battery................... like i said i wear the pants in this relationship why she isn,t home.......... did i get a thankyou "NO"....... she said aren,t you going to sleep better knowing it is working....my answer was, i would have been still sleeping... if you hadn't busted my b lls about disconnecting it.... i had cold coffee and a cold lunch any bets on what supper is........................................... Sue quit your laughing.....................

[Brando]

I have smoke alarms on each level of the house. Taking it up a notch, how many people have serviced fire extinguishers in the house? I have one.

[JGallagher]

My Garage is seperated from the house. As well I have the door open so if it does catch on fire"again" :D I can roll it right out to the road. Then we can have a block party.

[Red_Devil]

JG, you cant bbq in the garage man!!! LOL the CO levels would be high in your house, dont tell me you run the car too while you bbq in the garage LOL, again buddy, you call yourself a firefighter therefore you gotta lead by example man, get yourself a smoke alarm and stop bbqing in the garage, ALL THIS STUFF IS COMMON SENSE MAN!

[JGallagher]

Originally posted by Red_Devil
JG, you cant bbq in the garage man!!! LOL the CO levels would be high in your house, dont tell me you run the car too while you bbq in the garage LOL, again buddy, you call yourself a firefighter therefore you gotta lead by example man, get yourself a smoke alarm and stop bbqing in the garage, ALL THIS STUFF IS COMMON SENSE MAN!


Well when it is -45 you BBQ in the open. The garage door is open and is not connected to the house.

[FFWannabe]

Originally posted by wilderness
like i said i wear the pants in this relationship why she isn,t home.......... did i get a thankyou "NO"....... she said aren,t you going to sleep better knowing it is working....my answer was, i would have been still sleeping... if you hadn't busted my b lls about disconnecting it.... i had cold coffee and a cold lunch any bets on what supper is........................................... Sue quit your laughing.....................

hahaha... oh my goodness, I pictured the whole thing while I read it! That was too funny! I have to say, I'm sure it's easy enough for her to bust your b@lls when they're in her purse!!! hahahah! ;)

Too funny! Sue :)

Sorry.. not laughing... just snickering... hee hee!

[FFWannabe]

Originally posted by Brando
I have smoke alarms on each level of the house. Taking it up a notch, how many people have serviced fire extinguishers in the house? I have one.

Oh, oh, oh... I do, I do (waving hand)... and to take up one more notch... who has an escape plan for their family with different windows and routes depending on what's happening in the house... oh, oh, oh.. me, me! haha... okay, sorry, I already posted that.. I'm just overtired this morning because I was listening for my freaking mouse traps to go off... instead the mouse ate the pear from the trap and went back to his little home.... $@%#%@@#*&!

Sue :)

[iamvff]

Try cheese whiz...it sticks to the trap and they have to lick it!

I have three fire extinguisers, one in the kitchen, one in my daughters bedroom, and one in the garage. We have not done a family escape plan, but I have always been concerned with my daughters room downstairs. So I put a good size extinguiser in her room (she's 15 so she can handle it) and we had a good discussion on how to use it and I also stressed that it is not for trying to save the house, it is so that she can get up the stairs and out the back door! The house could be replaced!! We also have 2 smoke alarms one up and one downstairs beside her bedroom door.

Trying to be safe,
iamvff

[FFWannabe]

Originally posted by iamvff
Try cheese whiz...it sticks to the trap and they have to lick it!

I have three fire extinguisers, one in the kitchen, one in my daughters bedroom, and one in the garage. We have not done a family escape plan, but I have always been concerned with my daughters room downstairs. So I put a good size extinguiser in her room (she's 15 so she can handle it) and we had a good discussion on how to use it and I also stressed that it is not for trying to save the house, it is so that she can get up the stairs and out the back door! The house could be replaced!! We also have 2 smoke alarms one up and one downstairs beside her bedroom door.

Trying to be safe,
iamvff

YOu know, I showed my daughter how to use the fire extinguisher as well.. she's only 10, so I told her she won't likely use it, she will likely run out of the house... I don't think I stressed enough that it's not to put out the fire, but to get out of the fire.. I guess we'll go over that this evening!!!

I have cheese whiz.. I'll try that! That little b@stard will not make it another night...I need my sleep!!! :mad:

Sue :)

[wilderness]

i,m a sleep and the wife screams mouse.......so i love hunting so i get the pellet gun out and shot him....she has never asked me to get rid of a mouse since...... so my answer Sue... is to get a pellet gun......... honest to god if i,m lieing i,m dieing....to quote a red neck.......

[ThFyrWthn]

oo wee, those little crappers are FAST, you should think about entering some sort of contest with that there pellet gun wilderness. How do you do it perched on top of a chair an all?? :D eek!

[wilderness]

nope is called " i have you cornered " make a run i dare you its me or the rottie...your choice mouse... i won.......

[iamvff]

Don't laugh, a buddy of mine's brother shot a skunk in their living room!! TRUE STORY, they had to move out for quite some time while the restoration company worked their magic.

Sorry for the change of topic!

Be safe,
iamvff

[JGallagher]

Originally posted by FFWannabe
YOu know, I showed my daughter how to use the fire extinguisher as well.. she's only 10

Sue :)


Your not old enough to have a daughter that old. In your pic you only appear to be like 24.

[scoop422]

JG the lady's man!:cool: :cool:

[FFWannabe]

Costco - item # 325913 - $19.99
Two smoke detectors complete with emergency light, early detection of fast burning fires, and a hush button! Just a head's up!

As for 24.... JG, thanks a bunch! I'm definitely through with the 20's and working my way through the 30s! My little one and I look more like sisters which is great for me, but scary when it comes to her (she's already 5 feet and working on an adolescent attitude, although she respects her Mom too much to be a complete brat... hahaha)!

Sue :)

[FFWannabe]

Originally posted by iamvff
Don't laugh, a buddy of mine's brother shot a skunk in their living room!! TRUE STORY, they had to move out for quite some time while the restoration company worked their magic.

Sorry for the change of topic!

Be safe,
iamvff

Ewwwwwwwww... really? There will be no shooting of skunks or mice in my living room... hahaha... it will die, but hopefully while I'm sleeping... little b@stard! (sorry, that is it's official name right now)!

Sue :)

[Michael13]

WOW, killing mice with a pellet gun? You must have a good shot. Or how many holes do you have in your walls now? Stick to mouse traps. Not only do I praise fire Safety, theres also FIREARM safety! Go ahead use a .22!! jezzz!!! back to topic! Fire extingusher's. My teacher had the best advide for them. Always mount them at a door that leads out. that way you can get there, make the decision to attack the fire or get out. He said during many of his inspections, he would see a fire Ex mounted on the wall...........behind the stove! When your pot is flaming, who is going to reach through the flames to get the EX?? No one. And yes interconnnected garages can be fatal. Theres tons of BBQ safety out there, check out some websites. And I didnt know that some community's have polices on mandatory Co detectors. Good idea. I went to get one at Crappy tire the other day, but all sold out of the one on sale I wanted. Remember everyone, when buying fire safety equipment that it needs to ULC certified. All these products with this symbol have been tested. This applies for detectors and Ex's