Question

True or False: Smoke is the cause of the majority of fire-related deaths.

Answer

True.

According to Fire Prevention Canada, hundreds of Canadians die in residential fires every year, but low on the list of killers during a fire are hot flames.

While the residents of a house are sleeping, a fire may smolder for hours, robbing the air of oxygen and releasing carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde and acetic acid, killing residents in their sleep.

That’s why it’s essential to install a properly functioning smoke alarm so residents will have an early warning when fire strikes.

Smoke alarms should be:

• Installed on every floor of your home and directly outside all sleeping areas;
• Replaced every ten years, as they may not be as reliable as they once were;
• Tested twice a year. Don’t just test the electronics, though. To test the smoke detection capabilities, place a piece of smoldering paper or piece of string in an empty tin can and hold it up to the alarm.

Story Tools:  Email This Post  Print This Post Top