Households encouraged to check smoke alarms this Easter

Exelgard, a leading distributor of fire protection products for the home, is recommendingthat householders check their smoke alarms are in working order during the long Easterbreak

Exelgard, a leading distributor of fire protection products for the home, is recommendingthat householders check their smoke alarms are in working order during the long Easterbreak.

“Many of us will embrace the extra-long Easter holidays this year by diving into someDIY and doing some odd jobs around the house. This is an ideal time for householdersto replace their smoke alarm battery and check that they’re working correctly by pushingthe test button,” said Mathew Pearson, Key Account Manager, Exelgard. “Taking justtwo minutes to check the battery could save lives.”

“One in five Australians (22%) has experienced a home fire in their lifetime1,” Pearsonsaid. “If a fire occurs, smoke alarms can assist in providing the precious time needed toact or escape – but to be effective they need to be in proper working order.”Legislation across most of the country stipulates that homes must have at least onesmoke alarm, ideally located where people sleep. If a home has more than one storey,there should be a smoke alarm on each level.

According to AAMI’s 2008 Firescreen Index, two of the most common causes of fires inthe home are cooking and faulty electrical appliances. Householders should considertheir options when choosing a smoke alarm and decide whether a photoelectric smokealarm, best at detecting smoke from slow smouldering fires, might be more suitable thanan ionisation alarm, which is better suited to fast flaming fires.

“Make sure you understand the difference between photoelectric and ionisation smokealarms and weigh up which will best address the likely causes of fire in your home,” saidPearson. “Also think carefully about the positioning of smoke alarms so that they willhave maximum impact if set off by a fire.”

Exelgard is the sole distributor of Exelgard and Wormald smoke alarms, which areavailable from Woolworths, Big W, RSEA and Australia Post outlets.

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