Proper smoke alarm installation and fire prevention tips are emphasized for home safety.
Coquitlam Fire/Rescue is emphasizing the importance of working smoke alarms during Fire Prevention Week, from October 6 to 12. Ensuring all smoke alarms are properly installed and regularly tested is crucial for early warnings in the event of a fire.
Quick-spreading smoke necessitates functional smoke alarms to provide critical alerts, allowing families time to escape safely.
Key smoke alarm safety tips include installing alarms in every bedroom, near sleeping areas, and on each home level, including basements. It’s also vital to accommodate all household members, such as those with sensory or physical disabilities.
Testing smoke alarms monthly, vacuuming around them annually, and replacing alarms every 10 years or if unresponsive are also recommended.
In addition to smoke alarm awareness, cooking safety is crucial, as kitchen fires are a leading cause of residential fires. Staying in the kitchen during cooking, using timers, and maintaining a safe perimeter around the stove are essential practices.
Keeping flammable materials away from cooking areas, having a kitchen fire extinguisher, and knowing how to contain grease fires are additional safety measures.
Further information on fire safety can be found at coquitlam.ca/SeasonalSafety.
For media inquiries, contact Bryan Eberle, Assistant Fire Prevention Chief, at FireRescue@coquitlam.ca or 604-927-6400.
Coquitlam acknowledges its location on the traditional and ancestral lands of the kʷikʷəƛ̓əm and other Coast Salish Peoples.