smoke detectors save lives cach eats TN et ware it: - MEWS photo Terry Peters SMOKE DETECTORS save lives. This is the number one message North Shore firefighters want to send out to the community during Fire Safety Week. By ELIZABETH COLLINGS News Reporter Smoke detectors — a simple but effective survival measure — should be accepted as standard equipment for any household by now, but firefighters say many people are still not using them cor- rectly or worse, not using them at all. Capt. Aime Lehouillier of the West Vancouver fire department said he knows ome man who has had a smoke alarm for more than two years — but the alarm is in the closet, still in its package. “‘l gave him batteries and told him ihe next step was his,’’ Lehouillier said. Another ‘no-no’ firefighters have observed is people taking the batteries out of the smoke detector to use in TV remote controls or at Christmas time, taking the bat- teries out to put in the kids’ new toys. A recent and close-to-home ex- ample of a smoke alarm saving lives is the August house fire at Vale Court in North Vancouver. The home's three occupants were awakened by the sound of the alarm when smoke from the base- ment crept into the upstairs area. The house was destroyed and all the possessions lost. Firefighters attribute the saved lives to the smoke alarm. An estimated 80 per cent of all fire deaths take place in homes not equipped with working smoke detectors. Most fire victims succumb to debilitating smoke inhalation first, and then once unconscious, are unable to escape the flames. And most fire fatalities occur in the middle of the night, while peo- ple are asleep. Elderly residents are especially at risk. The North Shore fire depart- ments are waging a public infor- mation campaign on home fire safety and urge residents to under- take the following precautions: «Change your clock, Change your battery. Residents should get into the habit of changing smoke alarm batteries annually. An easy way to remember is to change the hatteries ut the same time the clocks are set back to standard time on the last Sunday of Oc- tober. ‘Install a smoke detector on each level of your home. *Clean and test the smoke detec- tor regularly -- about once a month. elf you have wired-in smoke detectors, get battery-operated de‘ ‘ors as a backup in case the PC. goes out. *Do not disconnect ihe battery when a smoke detector reacts to cooking. Fan the smoke away from the alarm and the noise will stop. *Know what to do when the detector sounds off by having an evacuation plan. *Smoke detectors are available for the hearing impaired which, when activated, emit a bright red flashing light. An alternative is a vibrating piliow. This article on safety was spon- sored bv... Get rid of flammable trash promptly. INSP. TERRY Abrams shows the remains of a smoke detector that saved 5 . sae the lives of three North Vancouver residents from an August house fire Keep appliances and cords in good conditicn. on Veale Court. The importance of a smoke detector can’t be underestimated. Buy flame-retardant clothing and household furnishings. Use a fireplace screen and keep wood stove doors open. Turn all appliances off before going to bed or ‘eaving the house. Store flammable liquids in the garage or storage shed. Keep children away from stoves, fireplaces and other open flames. Use proper fuses only; don't overload circuits. Insiall smoke detectors and keep them in operating order — change your clock, change your batteries. Keep rope or chain ladders or install fire escapes for upper stories. Plan an escape route and have frequent fire drills. Popo OND an Apout It! | We ail feel a lot safer know- ing that our families are pro- tected, 24 hours a day, regarding the harrors of fire. Leave the dwelling immediately if fire strikes. After a party, double-check wastebaskets, ashtrays, furniture and carpsts for carelessly discarded smokiiig materials. Be sure candies are out, too. Have your chimney cieaned annually. Keep fire extinguishers hanuy in several locations ot your house and ensure you and everyone in your household knows how to operate the fire extinguishers. Keep all bedroom doors closed at night. Doors can hold back smoke and iire and allow more time to escape. Keep a three-foot clearance between a floor heater and wall or any other object. Our fire departments are always ready to respond to our needs and trained to be the best. We salute the: District of North Vancouver Fire Department City of North Vancouver Fire Department in case of a small grease fire, turn off stove element and overhead fans and extinguish by replacing lid or the use of baking soda. Never smoke in bed. If your clothing catches fire, don’! tun! Stop where you are. drop to the floor and rol! {o put out the flame. RESPONSIBLE CARE: A TOTAL COMMITMENT ncvoccervommonrsuncone | fl ALBRIGHT & WILSON hor : Americas District uf West Vancouver Fire Department 166 Forester Street North Vancouver, B.C. Telephone (604) 929-2334