News release

Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives, Homes

Municipal Affairs and Housing (to November 2024)

Nova Scotians are reminded to install smoke alarms throughout their homes and to check them regularly to make sure they are working.

“Every year in Nova Scotia, we see fires in homes with tragic results that could have been prevented with working smoke alarms,” said John Lohr, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “Fire Prevention Week highlights the importance of why you need to install smoke alarms in your house, cabin or RV, test them regularly to make sure they work, and replace them when needed. It can save lives.”

Fire Prevention Week runs from October 6 to 12, and this year’s theme is Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work for You.

In Nova Scotia over the last three years, 24 per cent of fatalities happened in homes that did not have smoke alarms present and/or working properly. For another 24 per cent of fatalities, it could not be determined if there were smoke alarms present and/or working properly.

Tips for choosing and installing smoke alarms:

  • install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway) and on each level of the home, including the basement
  • when installing an alarm, follow the instructions that come with it
  • place the smoke alarm on the ceiling or high on a wall
  • if someone in the home is hard of hearing or deaf, use a special alarm with strobe lights and bed shakers.

Tips to make sure smoke alarms are working:

  • test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button
  • if an alarm chirps, replace the smoke alarm or the batteries in it, depending on the type of smoke alarm:
    • for smoke alarms with lifelong batteries that are designed to stay effective for up to 10 years, replace the entire alarm immediately
    • for smoke alarms that require new batteries at least once a year, replace the batteries immediately.

All smoke alarms should be replaced when they are 10 years old or when they stop responding when tested.

Quotes:

“Smoke spreads quickly when there is a fire. Once an alarm sounds, you may only have a few minutes to get yourself, your family and pets out safely. Ensuring you have smoke alarms that work can give you a critical early warning to get outside quickly.”
— Doug MacKenzie, Nova Scotia’s Fire Marshal

Quick Facts:

  • according to the National Fire Protection Association, working smoke alarms reduce fire deaths by 54 per cent
  • Fire Prevention Week takes place the second week of October each year

Additional Resources:

Fire safety tips and resources: https://www.nfpa.org/events/fire-prevention-week

Tips for installing, testing and replacing smoke alarms: https://www.nfpa.org/en/events/fire-prevention-week/fpw-printable-activities/smoke-alarms-make-them-work-for-you

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