REVIEW: First Alert Smoke & Fire Alarm (In Honor of the Tatas Sponsor)

We should all know how important it is to have working smoke alarms in our home and to test them regularly but many of us slack off and don’t have the right amount or have them in the right places, or test them enough.

According to Fire Prevention Canada, eight Canadians die every week from fires and residential fires account for 73 per cent of Canadian deaths caused by fire

It’s been a long time since I got a new smoke alarm so maybe all new smoke alarms have these cool features or maybe they don’t, I don’t know. However I am impressed with the following features:

• Bright Escape Light – automatically activates when alarm sounds to help show the path to safety. Perfect for hallways or rooms without windows.
• Mute Button – The button that can be used to test the smoke alarm can also be used to mute the alarm in case it goes off and there is no danger (like when you are cooking.)
• EZ Access Battery Drawer – You do NOT have to take the smoke alarm down to change the battery. There is a little drawer that slides out (see the package). 
• Optional Theft-Prevention Lock – when activated, batteries and/or alarm cannot be removed without proper tools. This would be perfect for a young child’s room where you are afraid they may do something to the alarm during play so that it doesn’t work in an emergency.
• Ionization Smoke Sensor – Apparently flaming fires produce greater amounts of smaller particles that may not be picked up by older smoke alarms. This one will sense them.

First Alert is the leading manufacturer of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, combination alarms, fire extinguishers, safes, security camera and much more. It is the most trusted, recognized safety brand in Canada and has protected families and what matters most for over 50 years.

Established in 1986, The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) is the leading national volunteer-based organization in Canada with regional offices in British Columbia/Yukon Territory, Prairies/NWT, Ontario and the Atlantic Region.

So Why did First Alert and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) partner up?

• First Alert and CBCF have one common and important message to spread to Canadians: early detection saves lives – whether it be a middle-of-the-night fire alarm or a routine mammogram.
• October is Fire Safety Awareness Month and Breast Cancer Awareness month. Fires and Breast Cancer can both be fatal and for both, early detection is key.

So First Alert developed a line of Canadian Breast Cancer Fire Safety products: two smoke alarms, a carbon monoxide alarm and a kitchen fire extinguisher. For each product sold, First Alert will donate $1 to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.

First Alert has donated some smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms as prizes for the In Honor of the Tatas event starting tomorrow so come back to win.

I’ll leave you with some Home Safety Tips from First Alert:

1. First Alert recommends having a working smoke alarm on every level of your home. In addition, you should also install alarms inside or near every bedroom.
2. Smoke alarms wear out and should be replaced every 10 years as per the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC).
3. The number one complaint about smoke alarms is that it can be difficult to change the battery—purchase one that has an easy access battery door so it never has to be removed from the ceiling.
4. Fire extinguishers are often your first line of defense in a residential fire. Keep at least one extinguisher on every level of your home—especially in the kitchen—and ensure every member of the family knows how to use them.
5. Carbon Monoxide is odourless, colourless and tasteless—it is a silent killer. Ensure a detector is installed on every level of your home and if the alarm goes off, get out of the house immediately. Review a fire escape plan for your family. Walk through exit paths and decide on a place to meet outside—then practice it.

*Disclosure: I received the product(s) mentioned above free of charge by the company or PR representative for evaluation purposes. No other compensation was provided. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.