This message is from the Dieppe Fire Department
The Fire Prevention, Inspection and Investigation Division wishes to remind everyone of the following important fire safety guidelines:
- It is important to check your smoke detectors monthly to ensure that they are working properly and it is especially important to replace them if they are approaching, or more than 10 years old.
- If you have electric smoke detectors, be sure that they will continue to operate during a power outage. If not, we recommend two options: replace your electric detectors with newer models that have a battery back-up and/or install battery-operated smoke detectors next to the electric detectors on each level of your house.
- Have your furnace, chimney or gas-operated fireplaces inspected and cleaned by a professional.
- During a power outage that exceeds the battery back-up capacity of the fire alarm system, it is important that landlords or apartment building managers make sure the fire alarm system is operating. If it is not, a 24-hour fire watch should be initiated immediately and remain in effect until the fire alarm system is back on line.
- If you use a gas-operated power generator during a power outage, it must be placed outside and away from the house; especially away from any doors, windows, soffits or vents. The Carbon Monoxide produced from a generator is the number one cause of death during a power outage.
- Every household should have carbon monoxide (CO) detectors. Various models are available with the most popular being the wall plug-in type. They should be installed near bedrooms and near gas burning appliances. CO is tasteless, colourless and odourless and is responsible for numerous deaths in Canada.