Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 10/01) - Do not wait until it is too late to find out if the batteries in the smoke alarm are working or to put a fire extinguisher in your home. Here is a list to help your family stay safe in the event of fire.

Smoke Alarms

- Is there a smoke alarm on every level of the house?

- Have the smoke alarms been tested once a month to ensure they are in good working condition?

- Have the alarms that are more than 10 years old been replaced?

- Have new batteries been installed?

Fire Extinguishers

- Is there an extinguisher on every level of the home?

- In the kitchen?

- In the garage?

- If you have extinguisher, check the gauge to ensure it is charged.

- Does everyone in the house know how to use the extinguisher?

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

- Is there a CO detector on every level of the home and outside the bedrooms?

- Have new batteries been installed?

- Have the fuel-burning appliances and equipment been checked within the last year by a qualified service technician?

- Are fuel-burning appliances properly vented?

- Are chimneys and vents clean and are they in good working condition?

- Have alarms that are more than 10 years old been replaced?

Fire Escape Route

- Has the family created a fire-escape route?

- Does the plan include two ways out of every room in the home?

- Does your home have a fire escape ladder?

- Have members of the family reviewed and practised the escape route within the last year?

- Do family members know how to unlock the doors and windows quickly, even in the dark?