WATCH: The tragic deaths of three young adults is a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining working smoke alarms in homes.
EDMONTON — A fatal house fire in southern Alberta is a reminder of how important it is to have working smoke detectors. Three young adults were found dead in a house on the Siksika Nation east of Calgary on Saturday, and the nation’s director of emergency services said there were no working smoke detectors in the home.
READ MORE: Vigil being held for 3 victims of house fire on Siksika Nation in southern Alberta
Over the last decade, 56 per cent of fire fatalities have been due to either a faulty smoke alarm or the absence of a smoke alarm in the home, according to Edmonton Fire Rescue. In 76 per cent of fatal fires, dead or incorrectly installed batteries caused smoke alarm failures.
READ MORE: Checking smoke alarms, cleaning lint traps among fire safety tips
There are two kinds of alarms: Ionization and Photoelectric.
Ionization smoke alarms are quicker to warn about fast, flaming fires. They also detect smoke produced by flammable liquids, loosely packed light combustibles, and kitchen grease.
Photoelectric alarms are quicker to warn about slow-burning, smoldering fires, and will detect smoke caused by cigarettes burning in furnishings and bedding.
It is best to use both types of alarms in the home.
Smoke alarms can be powered by batteries or household electricity, and a combination of the two is recommended by fire officials. In Alberta new homes or new construction must, by code, have smoke alarms hard-wired to the building’s electrical system.
The Alberta Fire Code requires all homes in the province to have working smoke alarms. Smoke alarms should be placed on every storey, including the basement, and outside all sleeping areas. It’s suggested smoke alarms should be kept away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms.
Here are a few other tips, provided by Edmonton Fire Rescue:
- change alarm batteries when you turn clocks for Daylight Saving Time
- install smoke alarms within 5 metres of each bedroom
- all alarms, battery operated and electrical, need to be replaced every 10 years
- test alarms each month (press and hold test button)
According to MyHealth.Alberta.ca, it’s also important to have carbon monoxide detectors. The website says death is usually caused by breathing in the smoke and toxic gases from a fire, not from being burned. Poisonous gases created during a fire, like carbon monoxide, can quickly cause a person to become confused and disoriented.
BELOW: Alberta Emergency Management Agency document on smoke alarm safety
*With files from Caley Ramsay, Global News, and The Canadian Press
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