Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 12/05) - As the time changes twice each year, so should the batteries in smoke detectors, says a Yellowknife deputy fire chief.

"When the clocks change time, you should change your battery," Chucker Dewar said.

"Smoke detectors are your first line of defence. They are the thing that will wake you up in the middle of the night and alert you to a fire," Dewar said. There can be no time to lose.

"A fire builds seven-fold every five minutes."

For safety's sake, one smoke detector should be placed on each level of a home, he noted.

"And they should be located in areas where they will wake sleeping occupants of the residence," Dewar added.

There are various types of smoke detectors, he noted.

Photoelectric and ionization are two common ones, he said.

"They are both equally as good, but the benefit of the photoelectric is that it is better used in an area where cooking is taking place because ionization is a bit more sensitive," he said.

The detector also should be placed at least four centimetres from the walls to ensure proper air flow, he noted.

While hard-wired smoke detectors are often equipped in a residence, Dewar said a battery operated detector should also be installed in the event of a power failure.

Maintenance important

Regular maintenance of the smoke detector is also imperative, Dewar noted.

"Just because the test button works doesn't necessarily mean the detector is functioning normally," he said.

"You want to test it with a spray that will simulate smoke conditions without exposing the detector to smoke," he said.

"And you should vacuum the dust from the detector."

And smoke, such as that from a cigarette, eventually desensitizes the detector.

"The fire division will come out and test the smoke detector for you," he said.

"And we recommend that after 10 years, you replace your smoke detector."

Dewar also noted that the fire department will install smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors free of charge for senior citizens.

"We also recommend a carbon monoxide detector for every residence."