SA国际影视传媒淟ook. Listen. Learn. Beware. Fire can happen anywhere.SA国际影视传媒�

Be proactive. Be aware. Be ready. ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 the message behind this yearSA国际影视传媒檚 Fire Prevention Week, an annual international effort to raise awareness about the dangers of fires and how to prevent them.

Running from Oct. 8 to Oct. 13, Fire Prevention Week 2018 aims to SA国际影视传媒渆ducate people about three basic, but essential steps to take to reduce the likelihood of having a fire and how to escape safely in the event of one,SA国际影视传媒� the City of Yellowknife stated on its website. The city, like many jurisdictions across the country, is recognizing the week-long campaign SA国际影视传媒� which commemorates the destruction and loss of life caused by the Great Chicago Fire of Oct. 8, 1871 SA国际影视传媒� alongside the Yellowknife Fire Division and the NWT Office of the Fire Marshal.

This year, residents are encouraged to keep the three SA国际影视传媒淟sSA国际影视传媒� in mind:

"Look" SA国际影视传媒� Take time to locate and remove potential fire hazards inside your home.

SA国际影视传媒淟istenSA国际影视传媒� SA国际影视传媒� Remain attentive to the sound of your smoke alarm. You may only have minutes to exit your home once the alarm goes off. Go to a designated outside meeting place where family members know to go.

SA国际影视传媒淟earnSA国际影视传媒� SA国际影视传媒� Establish two exits for every room and ensure all doors and windows leading outside open easily and that nothing is blocking them.

This yearSA国际影视传媒檚 focus urges homeowners to have a plan and, of course,  to listen to their smoke alarm. But, as technology advances and smoke detectors evolve from blinking bleepers to voice-alert hybrids, does the battery-powered classic that hangs on many city walls cut it anymore? And, besides a smoke alarm, does the average homeowner really need anything else to safeguard their home from a fire?

According to the Government of Canada, yes.

Fire extinguishers, state federal guidelines, should be kept in the home in the event of small fires. Just make sure you know what youSA国际影视传媒檙e doing with it.

SA国际影视传媒淚t is important to make sure you can comfortably hold and operate the one you buy,SA国际影视传媒� the guidelines state.

Make sure to install the fire extinguisher near an escape route and have it inspected regularly, the guide adds.

While fire extinguishers may not be as commonplace as smoke alarms in Yellowknife households, Steve Prowse, owner of Yellowknife-based North Fire Systems, says they should be.

SA国际影视传媒淓very home should have one. Fire extinguishers are your first line of defence,SA国际影视传媒� Prowse told Yellowknifer.

SA国际影视传媒淚f itSA国际影视传媒檚 there, you can act quickly and hopefully knock the fire down and call the fire department before it becomes a major issue,SA国际影视传媒� he added.

At Canadian Tire on Old Airport Road, fire extinguishers can set shoppers back between $60 to over a $100 depending on the size and power of the extinguisher.

But, Richard Castada, a store manager, says fire extinguishers arenSA国际影视传媒檛 flying off the shelves. Instead, said Castada , most customers opt for the basic SA国际影视传媒渢ested and provenSA国际影视传媒� battery-powered smoke detector. Despite new features including hardwired smoke and carbon monoxide detectors that yell SA国际影视传媒渇ire!SA国际影视传媒� through a voice alert, Castada said the $20 to $30 battery-powered options are the biggest sells.

While hardwired smoke detectors SA国际影视传媒� alarms connected to a home's power supply SA国际影视传媒� might not be replacing tried and true battery-powered models just yet, Steve Prowse believes itSA国际影视传媒檚 a safe option to fall back on.

Prowse said battery-powered alarms will get the job done, but if your house supports a hardwired system SA国际影视传媒� do it.

SA国际影视传媒淚f you do have hard wired capabilities, use your hard wire with battery backup,SA国际影视传媒� he said, adding the hardwired route offers SA国际影视传媒渕ore protectionSA国际影视传媒� in the event smoke detector batteries die unbeknownst to a homeowner.

Depending on features, including a 3-in-1 smoke, propane and carbon monoxide detector, new-age alarms can cost consumers anywhere from $40 to $95 in Yellowknife.

SA国际影视传媒淔or life safety, there's no price on that,SA国际影视传媒� said Prowse.

Castada also sells fireproof safes, marketed as a protected place for valuables in the event of a blaze. The pricey and non-essential fire safety aid isnSA国际影视传媒檛 a big draw, either, he said.

Despite the dizzying array of options, the consensus is clear: whether itSA国际影视传媒檚 battery-powered or hardwired SA国际影视传媒� just make sure you have one and that it's working. The GNWT recommends checking smoke alarms monthly.

Look, listen and learn tips

Smoke alarms

Install smoke alarms near all bedrooms and on each level of your home.

Test batteries once a month.

Replace smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old.

Devise an escape plan with family or roommates.

Candles

Candles can pose a serious fire risk. Make sure all candles are out before going to bed and never leave one unattended.

Don't light candles near flammable items or materials such as curtains and clothing.

Lighters and matches

Smoking remains the leading cause of house fires. If you smoke and keep matches or lighters around, make sure they're kept away from children at all times.

Talk to your kids about the risks of lighters and maters in the home.

Power cords

Keep cords for electrical appliances, such as deep fryers, kettles, steam irons and toasters, out of the reach of children. They can be hurt or burned if they pull an appliance off a counter.

Ensure cords are a safe distance from heat and water sources.

Make sure that the proper indoor and outdoor cords are used for electrical products.