PEI

'Don't wait: Check the date!' Charlottetown Fire Dept. takes aim at old smoke alarms

Firefighters are urging Islanders to replace their smoke alarms during Fire Prevention Week, happening October 9 to 15.

Replace smoke alarms every 10 years, fire department advises

Smoke alarms should be replaced at least every 10 years, firefighters say.

Firefighters are urging Islanders to replace their smoke alarms during Fire Prevention Week, happening October 9 to 15.

The Don't Wait, Check the Date campaign is about replacing alarms every 10 years from their date of manufacture. 

"There's lots of accumulation of dust and different things that get in there that general cleaning just doesn't take care of," said Tim Mamye, the deputy fire chief for the City of Charlottetown. 

"A working smoke alarm saves lives," Mamye emphasized.

Look for the date of manufacture on the back or side of the alarm.

The Charlottetown fire department is also still looking for new volunteer recruits — anyone interested can drop by the fire station on Kent Street around the corner from city hall and pick up an information package.