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Protect yourself against fire  |   Smoke detector and extinguisher ABC's
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Home & Property - Smoke detector and extinguisher ABCs

Smoke detectors save lives. But a detector without a battery, with a dead battery, or connected to an inoperative power supply is worse than none at all, because it gives you a false sense of security!

Are your smoke detectors in proper order?

• Will your smoke detectors work, or will you hear them in the event of a fire? To make sure :
  • Install smoke detectors outside bedrooms and on each floor of your home, including the basement.
  • Make sure dust does not collect on smoke detectors and never paint over them.
  • Do not use rechargeable batteries, as they can fail without warning.
  • Check smoke detectors at least once a month.
  • Replace batteries at least once a year.
  • Replace smoke detectors every ten years.

Do you know your extinguisher ABCs?

• Your extinguisher must be right for the fire:
  
  

  A	Ordinary combustibles, like wood, paper, and plastic
  B	Flammable liquids like gasoline, grease, and oil-based paint, and flammable gases
  C	Electrical wiring or household appliances

Make sure your extinguisher works properly:

• Regardless of whether your extinguisher is refillable or single use, inspect it every 30 days to make sure that...
  • Tamper seals are not broken or missing
  • Discharge valves show no sign of degradation, corrosion, leakage, or obstruction
  • The pressure shown on the manometers (pressure gauges) is normal
  • The date for the next professional inspection or servicing has not passed
• Have your refillable extinguisher inspected and serviced by a professional.

In the event of a fire, will you know how to use your extinguisher?

• Pull the pin
• Aim downward
• Squeeze the lever
• Sweep from side to side, aiming toward the base of the fire