Fire Safety Keeps Going as Daylight Savings Time Ends
With the end of Daylight Savings Time on Sunday, November 1, residents are reminded that as clocks turn back by one hour, smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms should also be tested. If necessary, replace the batteries or the entire unit. All alarms regardless if they are powered by electricity or battery should be replaced after 10 years.
November 1 – 7 is Carbon Monoxide Prevention Week
“In Ontario, more than 65% of injuries and deaths from carbon monoxide (CO) occur in the home,” said Fire Chief Darryl Bailey. “We want to make sure everyone is safe from CO. Get all fuel-burning appliances inspected by a registered contractor.” Visit COSafety.ca to find a registered contractor near you.
CO alarms are required in your home if you have a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage. Fuel-burning appliances can include furnaces, hot water heaters, gas or wood fireplaces, portable fuel-burning heaters and generators, barbeques, stoves and vehicles.
“You must have a working CO alarm outside each sleeping area of the home if your home has a fuel-burning appliance, a fireplace or an attached garage,” said Chief Bailey. “For added protection, install a carbon monoxide alarm on every storey of the home according to manufacturer’s instructions.”
If you live in a condo or apartment building with a service room, CO alarms must be installed in the service room and outside each sleeping area of all homes above, below and beside the service room. In condo or apartment buildings that have a garage, CO alarms must be installed adjacent to each sleeping area of all homes above, below and beside the garage.
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Media Contact:
Strategic Initiatives | Communications | 905.584.2272 | communications@caledon.ca
Backgrounder - Carbon Monoxide Safety
What is CO? |
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Prevent CO in your home |
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Know the symptoms of CO |
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Know the sound of your CO alarm |
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Residents are also encouraged to develop a home escape plan. Quite often there are less than two minutes to safely escape the toxic gases released from a fire burning in your home. All family members should know two ways out of each room and a meeting place outside of the home.
Learn more about fire prevention and download a home escape plan template: caledon.ca/fire.