Residents of Springdale could get a knock on their doors very soon, and see a fireman standing on their doorstep.
Don’t worry – there’s no cause for concern, per say, as they’re just there to ensure that your home or cabin are protected by a working smoke alarm.
Everett Pitts, Fire Prevention Officer with the Springdale Fire Department says they’ve taken on a program called “Alarmed and Ready,” which is an initiative of the Insurance Bureau of Canada, the Provincial Government and local fire departments.
“The program is designed to make sure that people have working smoke alarms in their home, that will greatly help them in the event a fire should take place,” said Pitts. He says the use of Smoke Alarms in homes and cabins is something that’s required by law, and something people should be paying close attention to.
“It could mean the difference of life and death,” he explained. “That’s why it’s required by law now to have a working smoke alarm in your home, and now your cabin as well – which is a fairly new addition to the legislation, but one that is needed.”
Pitts says programs like Alarmed and Ready help spread the word about the importance of Smoke Alarms. The public education effort will hopefully answer questions some people may have about smoke detectors, and how they can be used to save a life in the event of tragedy.
“A smoke alarm is required on each level of a home, and outside every sleeping area,” explained Pitts. The reason for that, he said, is obvious – as an alarm is more likely to wake a person when properly placed.
“We want to get the word out as much as we can, which is why we’re going door to door and meeting with them face to face,” he continued.
In addition to awareness and pubic education, Pitts says Springdale Fire Department also has Smoke Alarms on hand to distribute to people who may need them.
“We have alarms that we’ll gladly hand out to people if they need them,” he said. “Too many homes don’t have any smoke alarm at all – let alone the recommended number for floors and bedrooms. Hopefully this campaign can change some of that.”
The importance of fire safety is another issue that many people need more information on, he continued. It isn’t enough to have a smoke alarm – it has to be checked and working.
Things like heaters, smoking, stoves, and flammable materials in the home are also cause for concern when it comes to fire. Pitts says the department is available if anyone need advice, inspection, or help with anything related to fire safety.
“We’re more than happy to help,” he concluded. “We want people to be as safe as they can be – and getting them to know the right things to do and not to do are key parts of that.”
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