For many, Daylight Saving Time has become a convenient reminder to take care of tasks around the house. As we prepare to spring forward one hour on March 13, 2022, the home and fire safety experts at First Alert are encouraging Canadians nationwide to ensure their homes and families are protected from the threats of smoke, fire and carbon monoxide (CO).
- Replace alarm batteries – Daylight Saving Time is the perfect reminder to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. According to the Canadian National Fire Information Database, 80 per cent of fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years, and most CO alarms should be replaced every five to seven years. If you don’t know how old an alarm is, the safest bet is to replace it immediately. For ultimate protection, consider installing alarms equipped with 10-year sealed batteries and eliminate the need for battery replacements for the life of the alarm.
- Practice an escape plan – According to a study conducted by First Alert Canada, only 56 per cent of Canadians have a fire escape plan, and among those that do, just one in five said they practiced it twice a year. It’s important that the whole family knows what to do in the event of a home emergency as you may have less than two minutes to escape after your alarm sounds. Be prepared for the unexpected by creating an escape plan together. Practice it with every member of the household at least twice per year; spring and fall Daylight Saving Time are the perfect, easy-to-remember occasions.
- Update emergency preparedness kits – You never know how long you may be held up in the house waiting for a disaster to subside, so planning ahead and having a kit with essentials is important. Take this opportunity to swap out non-perishable foods with fresh ones and replace flashlight batteries. An emergency supply kit should also include water, a transistor radio and a fire extinguishing device.