First Alert Celebrates 65 Years, Encourages
Families to
Take Proper Safety Precautions this
October
AURORA,
Ill., Oct. 10, 2023 /CNW/ -- In honour of
Fire Prevention Month, First Alert, the most trusted brand in fire
safety*, is reminding consumers about the simple precautions they
can take to help protect what matters most from a fire or carbon
monoxide (CO) emergency. Marking its 65th anniversary,
First Alert and the fire service industry are coming together to
educate communities about the importance of being prepared before
an emergency strikes.
"Helping families protect their homes and the moments they share
has always been our top priority," said Ashley Gocken, a First Alert fire safety expert
with Resideo Technologies. "Throughout First Alert's 65 years, we
continued to provide trusted fire-safety protection and education
to help make communities safer. Fire Prevention Month serves as a
great reminder to be proactive when it comes to home safety and
installing the proper protective tools."
Residential fires and CO incidents affect hundreds of Canadians
annually. In fact, on average, fires take the lives of 220 people
every year, according to Statistics Canada, and there are more than 300 CO-related
deaths every year, according to the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA). To help ensure your home and family are
protected, First Alert offers the following safety tips and
prevention measures.
Every level, every bedroom. Smoke alarms are the first
line of defence for fire prevention. The NFPA recommends installing
smoke alarms inside every bedroom and on every level of the home,
including the basement. Smoke alarms should be installed high on
walls and ceilings and at least 3 metres away from appliances to
help minimize any false alarms.
Know CO. CO is an invisible, odourless and potentially
fatal gas, and the only way to detect it is with working CO alarms,
which should be installed near every sleeping area and on every
level of the home. When installing CO alarms, place them at least
five metres away from sources of CO to reduce the possibility of
nuisance alarms.
Test and maintain. According to Statistics Canada, homes without a working smoke alarm,
including those without an installed alarm or the status is
unknown, accounted for nearly three out of four home fire deaths.
Alarms should be tested regularly, using the test/silence button on
the alarm. Also, batteries should be changed every six months,
unless the alarm is powered by a sealed, 10-year battery. Ten-year
sealed battery alarms, like the First Alert 10-Year Combination
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm, provide 2-in-1 protection and
eliminate late-night battery chirps and battery replacements for a
decade.
"Smoke and CO alarms don't last forever," added Gocken. "If you
cannot remember the last time you installed an alarm, chances are,
it's time to replace. Alarms are on duty 24/7 and the NFPA
recommends replacing them ten years from the date they were
manufactured."
P.A.S.S. the fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishing
devices should be easily accessible in key areas of the home,
like the kitchen and garage, and it's also crucial to know how to
use them quickly, should a fire start. The acronym P.A.S.S. is an
easy way to remember:
- Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle
pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism.
- Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the
fire.
- Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
- Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.
When selecting a fire extinguisher, the First Alert Home1
Rechargeable Fire Extinguisher is lightweight and extinguishes a
variety of fires. It is easy to handle in the event of a home fire
emergency, and the device is designed to fight common household
fires including wood, paper, fabric, flammable liquid and
electrical fires.
Practise an escape plan. In the event of an emergency,
every second counts, so having an escape plan that every member of
the household is confident in following is key. When creating an
escape plan, start by identifying two ways out of every room, using
both doors and windows, and then choose a location a safe distance
from the home as a meeting spot. If the home has a second story,
escape ladders should be stored by windows that offer quick paths
out of the house.
Learn Fire Safety at RONA/Réno-Dépôt
Throughout
October, select RONA and Réno-Dépôt stores will join First Alert in
celebrating first responders and Fire Prevention Month, which will
include hosting fire safety events to educate adults and children
about the importance of fire safety. Store guests can participate
in fire safety demonstrations and learn from local first responders
about best safety practices.
To learn more about how to protect the moments with your loved
ones, visit FirstAlert.com/FirePreventionMonth
*First Alert Brand Trust Survey, February 2021 – Results are based on the
responses of 1,000 adults, ages 25 and older, living in
Canada who completed an online
survey asking them to choose from six brands in the smoke,
fire and carbon monoxide protection space.
About First Alert
First Alert®, America's most
trusted and recognized safety brand, is owned by Resideo
Technologies, Inc., (NYSE: REZI) a leading manufacturer and
distributor of smart home solutions that provide comfort, safety,
security, energy efficiency and controls to customers worldwide.
First Alert offers a comprehensive line of smoke alarms, carbon
monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers and escape ladders to help
protect what matters most. For more information, visit
firstalert.com, resideo.com and brkelectronics.com.
About Resideo
Resideo is a leading global manufacturer and distributor of
technology-driven products and solutions that provide comfort,
security, energy efficiency and control to customers worldwide.
Building on a 130-year heritage, Resideo has a presence in more
than 150 million homes, with 15 million systems installed in homes
each year. We continue to serve more than 110,000 professionals
through leading distributors, including our ADI Global Distribution
business, which exports to more than 100 countries from nearly 200
stocking locations around the world. For more information about
Resideo, please visit www.resideo.com.
Contact:
Abigail
Cox
L.C. Williams & Associates
P: 312-565-3900 or 800-837-7123
acox@lcwa.com
SOURCE First Alert by Resideo