By Brittney Matejka

Smoke detectors need to be replaced every 10 years.

Dec 14, 2017 | 4:06 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB. – A smoke alarm rang out on Wednesday night, alerting neighbours of smoke in the home next door.

The Medicine Hat Fire Department gained entry to extinguish the small fire. The home owners were not home at the time.

Grayson Smith, a fire prevention officer with the Medicine Hat Fire Department, explained how important it is for home owners to be notified if smoke is detected.

“We have a lot of fires happen at night, and because of that we are obviously sleeping or we’re distracted,” he said. “People need to know there is a fire because fire moves so quick.”

Smoke detectors are very effective at detecting smoke in homes said Smith. They should be routinely checked to ensure they’re working properly.

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“If you just get a stool or a ladder, you just have to push the test button, hold it and if it beeps then it’s working,” he explained. “If nothing happens then it’s either time to get a new one or maybe the batteries need to be replaced.”

Each smoke detector will have a manufactured date, with the month and year. After 10 years they will need to be replaced, said Smith.

He also explained you need more than one fire detector in your home.

“The new code states that you should have a smoke detector in every bedroom as well as every floor of your house,” he said. “The reason for that is a lot of people sleep with their door closed at night and if your door is closed it may take longer to alert a hallway smoke detector.”

Smith would like to remind people to watch for fire hazards in their home over the holidays with decorations, candles and unsafe cooking practices.