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12. Limitations Of Smoke Alarms
13. Good Safety Habits
Develop and practice a plan of escape:
• Install and maintain fire extinguishers on every level of the home
and in the kitchen, basement and garage. Know how to use a fire
extinguisher prior to an emergency.
• Make a floor plan indicating all doors and windows and at least
two (2) escape routes from each room. Second story windows may
need a rope or chain ladder.
• Have a family meeting and discuss your escape plan, showing
everyone what to do in case of fire.
• Determine a place outside your home where you all can meet if
a fire occurs.
• Familiarise everyone with the sound of the alarm and train them
to leave your home when they hear it.
• Practice a fire drill at least every six months, including fire drills at
night. Ensure that small children hear the alarm and wake when
it sounds. They must wake up in order to execute the escape plan.
Practice allows all occupants to test your plan before an emergency.
You may not be able to reach your children. It is important they
know what to do.
• Current studies have shown alarms may not awaken all sleeping
individuals. It is the responsibility of individuals in the household that
are capable of assisting others to provide assistance to those who
may not be awakened by the alarm sound, or to those who may be
incapable of safely evacuating the area unassisted.
home. Smoke alarms cannot provide an alarm if smoke does not
reach the unit. Therefore, smoke alarms may not sense fires starting
in chimneys, walls, on roofs, on the other side of a closed door or on
a different floor. Hearing impaired occupiers should consider fitting
additional strobe accessories to give a visual alarm.
Although smoke alarms can help save lives by providing an early
warning of a fire, they do not prevent property damage. Home owners
and renters should have adequate insurance to protect their property.
If after reviewing this manual you feel that your smoke alarm is
defective in any way, do not tamper with the unit. Refer to Section 15
Warranty and Contact Details.
