Smoke alarms are an important part of keeping you and your family safe. 

Did you know that roughly 60 per cent of home fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms? Fire moves fast, you may have less than two minutes to escape your home once the alarm sounds. Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire by more than half (54 per cent). 

Key Smoke Alarm Safety Tips & Guidelines

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on each level of your home. 
• Make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities. 
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button. 
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or stop responding when tested. 
• Make a home fire escape plan and practice it at least two times a year. This way everyone knows what to do when the smoke alarm sounds and can get outside.  

What To Do During a Fire

• When the smoke alarm sounds, go to the outside meeting place and call 9-1-1. 
• If there is smoke blocking the door, use your second planned way out. 
• Smoke is poisonous, if you must escape through smoke get low and go under the smoke to your way outside. 
• Before opening a door, feel the doorknob and then the door. If either is hot, leave the door closed and use your second way out. 
• Open doors slowly and be ready to shut them if heavy smoke or fire is present. 
• If you cannot get out, close the door and cover vents and cracks around the door with a cloth. Stay where you are and call 9-1-1. Tell the emergency operator where you are located. 
• Never re-enter a burning building. 

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