Smoke alarms need to be tested monthly, according to fire prevention officers, and batteries replaced every six months if the device requires it. (Dreamstime)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

fire safety

‘Install, test, replace:’ smoke alarm safety top of mind for Nanaimo firefighters

Oct 5, 2024 | 5:53 AM

NANAIMO — Local firefighters are hoping public education will help reduce their workload and improve safety in the home.

Fire Prevention Week is being recognized Sunday, Oct. 6 through Oct. 12 with the key messaging of checking, testing and potentially replacing aging smoke alarms in your home.

Umesh Lal, a fire prevention officer with Nanaimo Fire Rescue, told NanaimoNewsNOW they want to drill home the message of “install, test, replace” when it comes to smoke alarms in every level of the home.

“Ideally we’d love one in every sleeping area but if you can’t do that then at least at minimum on each level, including the basement of your home.”

He said many older smoke alarms should have their batteries replaced every six months and tested monthly.

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Newer models should also be regularly tested.

“The newer models have 10 year batteries which is the life span of the actual smoke alarm, so you don’t have to recycle or change the batteries until the unit needs changing every 10 years. Smoke alarms are like cars, they come as a Pinto version all the way up to a Cadillac version.”

He said regular inspection, or tracking of smoke alarm expiry dates is paramount, adding “if it looks old, it is old.”

In addition to working smoke alarms, Lal said evacuation plans are a great tool in ensuring people and pets are safe in the event of a large fire.

“If the smoke alarm goes off, you should have a plan on what you should be doing. You should have an evacuation plan and a muster point. At the time when the actual smoke alarm goes off, that’s not when you should practice your plan, you should practice it at different times of day.”

He said clearly understood muster points help alleviate confusion in an emergency.

Nanaimo Fire Rescue will be ramping up their public messaging through the week, as well as working in local schools.

They’re also holding an open house on Oct. 23 at the No. 1 Fire Hall in the downtown.

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