Edmonton Fire improves home fire safety
May 10, 2018

Edmonton Fire Rescue Services (EFRS) firefighters will install carbon monoxide/smoke detectors to help make homes safer in two Edmonton neighbourhoods.

EFRS will visit 350 homes in Eastwood and Alberta Avenue on the weekend to install combination detectors to better protect families against fire and carbon monoxide.

“In 2017, EFRS responded to 128 fires with missing or non-functioning smoke alarms,” said Russell Croome, Deputy Chief of Public Safety. “Through the Smoke Alarm Program, we provide Edmontonians with functional alarms installed in the right locations, which should help reduce the number of false alarm calls and likelihood of the alarm not activating. More importantly, it helps improve fire safety in our city.”

Officials use a variety of criteria to determine which houses receive alarms. A key factor is whether the house was built before 1974 and is located in a neighbourhood with a higher than average number of structure fires where working smoke alarms are not present. 

While a functioning smoke alarm is an important line of defence in the event of a fire, combination alarms are a crucial part of this program because they detect carbon monoxide. 

“Both smoke and carbon monoxide alarms save lives. However, carbon monoxide is odourless, colorless and tasteless, so it’s very hard to know if you’re exposed without the carbon monoxide alarm present,” said Croome. “The fact we can better protect Edmontonians from both fires and carbon monoxide with one installation is a great way for us to serve our communities.” 

Since the Smoke Alarm Program began in 2007, EFRS has provided close to 7,000 smoke alarms. EFRS recommends that all types of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms be tested monthly and batteries replaced on an annual basis. Alarms older than 10 years should be replaced.

For more information:

Media contact:  
Communications Advisor
Edmonton Fire Rescue Services 
780-293-2488