City Government

Move Your Clock Ahead, But Remember to Stay Fire Safe

March 11, 2010

When you spring ahead for Daylight Savings Time on Sunday, March 14, remember to stay fire safe by testing the smoke alarms in your home.

“Smoke alarms save lives…if they’re working properly,” said Peter Mickelsen, captain, Public Safety, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services. “The few moments it takes to change the batteries in your home’s smoke alarms, and to test each unit, are a few moments that can mean the difference between life and death.”

Edmontonians should also test smoke alarms hardwired into their homes’ electrical systems.

In 2009, Edmonton fire investigators found that smoke alarms were not functioning in more than 22 per cent of residential fires in Edmonton. Some of these residences did not even have a smoke alarm installed. Malfunctions can occur when a smoke alarm’s battery has been removed, the unit is too old, or the power source has been disconnected.

Fire Rescue advises citizens to also replace any smoke alarm in their home that is more than 10-years-old and to install a smoke alarm in any bedroom where someone sleeps with the door closed.

For more information:

Peter Mickelsen

Edmonton Fire Rescue Services
Fire Prevention Office

Title	Captain, Public Safety
Telephone	780-496-3628