Time to check or replace smoke alarm batteries... but three out of four won't do it!

[five_alarm]

Fire Chiefs remind Canadians that semi-annual National Smoke Alarm Day is happening this Saturday, October 25 "We communicate this message twice a year, and we've been saying it for almost thirty years, but some people just don't get it, I guess," says Ken Kelly, President of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs (CAFC), and Chief of the Yarmouth (NS) Fire Department. "You must check your battery-operated smoke and CO alarms to make sure they're working properly. And if you didn't replace your batteries last Spring at Daylight Saving, then please do so now. It's essential, and it's not expensive." But according to a recent survey of Canadian homeowners undertaken by the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs and Duracell Canada, only 26% of Canadians will make the effort.


Source: Canada NewsWire (http://www.firehall.com/refer.php?url=http://www.newswire.ca/releases/October2003/22/c3478.html&linkid=222&parent=news(headlines)&)

[five_alarm]

BRAMPTON, ON - Everyone is reminded to change the batteries in their smoke alarms next weekend at the same time they change their clocks.

Brampton firefighters also offer free batteries, while supplies last, to local seniors. Firefighters will also change the batteries in smoke alarms or carbon monoxide alarms for seniors who need help.

Source: northpeel.com (http://www.northpeel.com/br/news/newsbriefs/story/2660683p-3084661c.html)

[five_alarm]

TORONTO, ON - Most Canadians (except those in Saskatchewan) will "spring forward" this weekend, losing one hour's sleep as we move to Daylight Saving Time at 2:00 a.m. Sunday.

"It only takes a couple of minutes to replace the batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors," says Mary Lou O'Reilly, Vice-President, Public Affairs and Marketing, Insurance Bureau of Canada. "Sadly, an unfortunate few may lose much more, simply because someone has neglected to invest a few dollars and two minutes to replace the dead batteries.

An estimated 20 per cent of all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors have dead batteries or have been disabled by batteries being removed. In addition, there are a number of smoke detectors currently installed that have lost about half of their effectiveness. After 10 years in use, the devices should be replaced.

Source: newswire.ca (http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/April2005/01/c1081.html)

[five_alarm]

NATIONAL - Adding a month to daylight time could end up shaking the foundations of one of the most time-honoured and important rituals associated with the semi-annual clock change. Fire departments across the country count on the spring ahead and fall back — the latter happening this weekend — as a reminder for people to change their smoke detector batteries. But with most provinces musing about switching daylight time to eight months from seven along with the United States, Mike Eddy, president of the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs, wonders if firefighters need a new date.

“Change your clock, change your battery has been around a long time,” says Mr. Eddy, who is also the chief director of the Halifax Regional Fire and Emergency Services. “This throws a curve at us that I hadn't even considered.” Mr. Eddy says daylight time was decided on as the perfect opportunity because people will often put cheap batteries in their smoke detectors that die out quickly.
He says his association may have to lobby the battery companies to test whether their products can last the extra month. Failing that, they will have to pick a new date for the reminder. “We'll have to look at it, maybe we will find some other means, maybe Halloween is a good time to do it,” Mr. Eddy says.

Source: theglobeandmail.com (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20051029.wclocks1029/BNStory/National/)

[FFWannabe]

I'm taking new smoke alarms to my Mom's next weekend with the hush button. She decided to take the batteries out because it bothered her. I asked her if death by smoke inhalation bothered her. What's the big deal, it makes a horrible sound now and then, it might just be the sound that saves your life!

Sue :eek:

[five_alarm]

MONTREAL, QC - As usual, the first Sunday in April marks the beginning of daylight saving time. The Service de sécurité incendie de Montréal (SSIM) always takes advantage of this event to launch a prevention “blitz”, visiting several homes in order to make sure citizens adopt safe behaviours regarding fire prevention.

This year, approximately 75 students from the Académie des pompiers de Mirabel and Collège Montmorency in Laval will join the department’s firefighters and prevention officers on Saturday, April 1 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to visit homes. They will check to see if smoke alarms are installed and will inform citizens of the importance of keeping these devices in good working order.

During this prevention “blitz”, the Service de sécurité incendie de Montréal will distribute 12,000 information bookmarkers to citizens and bookstores. In addition, Gillette Canada (Duracell) has offered the department 1,200 batteries that will be given out to citizens.

Source: messagerlachine.com (http://www.messagerlachine.com/pages/article.php?noArticle=27799)