NEWS RELEASE
October 5, 2021
For immediate release

Cold Lake, AB – Does everyone in your household know the sounds that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms make, what they mean, and how to react? Learning the Sounds of Fire Safety is the theme of this year’s International Fire Prevention Week, which runs from October 3-9.

Smoke alarms sense smoke well before humans can, alerting us to danger and saving lives. In the event of a fire, you may have just seconds to escape safely, which is why smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas (like the hallway) and on every level of the home (including the basement).

“Often when we’re called to house fires in Cold Lake, the residents tell us that they were awoken or alerted to the danger by a smoke alarm, and that’s how they were able to safely escape,” said Cold Lake Fire-Rescue Chief Jeff Fallow. “Smoke alarms save lives, save pets, and allow us to start attacking the fire sooner so we can prevent it from spreading and causing even more damage.”

Carbon monoxide detectors sense the presence of carbon monoxide gas, which is tasteless, odorless and invisible to humans. Inhaling carbon monoxide can seriously injure or kill people without them even being aware that it’s happening. Like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors should be installed on every level of the home, including the basement.

Various types and brands of alarms may sound and operate in different ways, but in general:

Alarm type:                  Sound:                                                Means:

Smoke                          3 loud beeps                                      Smoke and/fire is present. Get outside and call 9-1-1. Do not go back inside.

Smoke                          One “chirp” every 30-60 seconds   Battery is low and should be replaced OR alarm is malfunctioning OR alarm has                                                                                                       reached the end of its life and should be replaced.

Carbon monoxide       4 loud beeps                                     Carbon monoxide is present. Get outside and call 9-1-1. Do not go back inside.

Carbon monoxide       One “chirp” every 30-60 seconds  Battery is low and should be replaced.

Carbon monoxide       Various “End of life” sounds          Vary by manufacturer. The alarm has reached end of life and should be replaced.

Cold Lake Fire-Rescue offers complimentary smoke and carbon monoxide detector inspections to residential customers, to ensure they are installed and working properly. To inquire about an alarm inspection, call 780-594-4494 ext. 8032. Alarm inspections are subject to availability of staff and resources.

Due to COVID-19 public gathering restrictions, the annual Fire Prevention Week fire station tours and public open house are temporarily cancelled. However, Cold Lake Fire-Rescue is excited to once again offer personalized, private tours of the downtown fire station to two local students and their guests through the Fire Prevention Week Colouring Contest. The winning students will also receive a prize package and the opportunity to have their photo taken in a Cold Lake Fire-Rescue truck. Interested students should download and print the colouring sheets and submit their completed artwork to communications@coldlake.com by Sunday, October 10, 2021.

Colouring contest instructions and additional Fire Prevention Week resources and activities are available by clicking on the Fire Prevention Week banner at www.coldlake.com.

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