On Sunday, November 6, 2011, at 2 a.m. in the morning, we move our clocks back one hour to go back to standard time and we change the our smoke alarm’s battery.

The Saint-Lazare fire department and the ministère de la Sécurité publique encourage you to verify the good functioning of your smoke alarms. Because firefighters hold your safety at heart, they would like to remind you that a smoke alarm equipped with a good battery is key to saving lives. This Sunday, take the time to check your smoke alarm and to replace the battery.

Replace smoke alarm’s battery and replace it again!

• After six months, you think the battery is still good? Replace it anyway. It might to be able to last another six months and your life depends on it.
  
  
• If your smoke detector occasionally emits sound signals, replace the battery at once. These signals indicate the battery is low and must be changed.
  
  
• Never use a rechargeable battery.

The smoke alarm

• Press several seconds on the test button. The signal should be heard immediately.
  
  
• Verify its ability to detect smoke by putting out a candle close to it.
  
  
• Install one smoke alarm on each floor including the basement, and in bedrooms where you keep the doors closed to sleep.
  
  
• Install them in hallways, near bedrooms and make sure nothing obstructs the flow of smoke. Affix them to ceilings or on walls, at a distance of 10 to 30 cm (4 - 12 in) from the wall or the ceiling.
  
  
• Replace your smoke alarm every 10 years. Follow the instructions on the detector’s casing. If it is damaged, dusty or does not emit a signal after the battery’s been replaced, change it. Never exceed the suggested life duration.
  
  
• If you are a tenant, your owner has to supply you with a smoke alarm, but you are responsible for maintaining it and replacing the battery as needed.