Going Places

YOU'RE COVERED W hen I hear the theme of this year's Fire Prevention Week (October 4-10) – "Hear the beep where you sleep. Every bedroom needs a working smoke alarm" – I'm suddenly alarmed that my own house isn't up to snuff. From there my con- cern grows to whether it's even up to building code standards. A quick phone call to the Fire Commissioner's Office and I'm mildly relieved to learn my house – which has a smoke detec- tor on each floor – is indeed up to code, but only because it's not a newer home. New or updated homes are now required to have a smoke alarm in every sleeping room, in addi- tion to one outside the sleeping area and at least one on each floor (2010 National Build- ing Code of Canada). It may seem excessive, but a fire spreads quickly, becoming life-threatening in just two minutes; precious seconds can mean the cli- chéd difference between life and death. Fire Prevention Canada reports that nearly 80 per cent of deaths from fire occur in the home, with most fatalities taking place between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. while occupants are asleep. The process of waking up – physically and mentally – increases the time it takes to react. In addition, fire produces poisonous gases that cause disorientation and drowsiness; rather than being woken up by a fire, you could fall into a deeper sleep. Adding more fuel to the fire is the location of most bedrooms – not near a quick, easy exit and often on the second level. Having that extra smoke detec- tor in each bedroom doesn't seem so extreme anymore. Short of buying a new bun- galow-style home next to a fire hall, here are tips to protect you and your loved ones: Install smoke detectors in each bedroom. While moni- tored hard-wired detectors can ensure help is sent quickly, Rial Black, general manager at ProTELEC Alarms, says that if installation cost is a concern, homeowners can install battery-operated detectors in each bedroom themselves, and have monitored hard-wired detectors outside the sleeping area and on each floor. Test your smoke detectors every three months, says Black. According to the National Fire Protection Association, over 60 per cent of house-fire fatalities occur in homes where smoke detectors are missing, disabled or have dead batteries. For battery-operated smoke detectors, change the batteries every six months. (A good rule is to replace them when the clocks change each spring and fall.) It's also important to note that inoperable detectors may affect a home insurance claim. Replace your smoke detectors every 10 years. Black explains that, like all electronics, detectors can wear out over time, which means the sensory mechanisms will gradu- ally weaken and won't be as sensitive to smoke or fire. Make an escape plan with your family, including an alternate route if the first exit is not safe, and designate a safe meeting place outside your home. Practice regularly so every- one remembers what to do. Sleep with your door closed. is will help keep the heat and smoke out of the room, giving you a better chance of escape. If your bedroom is on the second floor, consider purchasing an escape ladder in case the stairwell and main floor are not safe. Keep an inventory of all the contents in your house and keep it somewhere outside the home, such as at your office or with a family member. This will help when filing a claim with your insurance company after a fire. Visit www.ca amanitoba.com/checklist to get started. GP In an average lifetime, a household can expect to have five fires, says the National Fire Protection Association. Whether it's a small kitchen fire or worse, ensure your home and contents are financially protected through CAA Manitoba Insurance partners. Where There's Smoke . . . Why each bedroom should have a detector by Lea Currie 52 G O I N G P L A C E S | F A L L 2 0 1 5 istock Monitoring smoke alarms is free with a monitored home alarm from CAA Rewards partner ProTELEC Alarms. Visit www.caamanitoba.com/ protelec for more member savings. Fire Prevention Week is held every year in the week surrounding October 9. The campaign was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, which began on October 8 and raged until October 10. One of the largest U.S. disasters in the 19th century, the fire decimated much of the city, killing more than 250 people and leaving 100,000 homeless. Since its inception, Fire Prevention Week has created public awareness about fire safety for more than 90 years. To learn about local fire prevention events, visit www.firecomm.gov.mb.ca/ safety_fpw.html. Or contact your local fire hall to find an event near you.

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