| Spring cleaning in all its forms will be on the minds | | | | earlier this year on behalf of Duracell showed that |
| of many Canadians at this time of year. But have | | | | Canadians clearly have room for improvement |
| you ever really stopped to ask yourself what you | | | | when it comes to considering fire safety as part |
| can do along the way to ensure that your action | | | | of their spring cleanups. Among the usual |
| items are also making improvements in your | | | | spring-cleaning chores performed by many |
| home's fire safety for the year ahead? | | | | Canadians, the two that most directly impact |
| Tidying up on the home front, disposing of, or | | | | home fire safety received the lowest response in |
| recycling clothes, furniture and other unused | | | | the survey. |
| items, cleaning up areas like the garage, garden | | | | "Installing fresh batteries doubles your odds of |
| and patio - are all obvious and practical starting | | | | escaping a fire," says Carol Heller, a home safety |
| points for any spring-cleaning campaign. | | | | specialist with Kidde Canada, the country's largest |
| But don't ignore the improvements you can make | | | | manufacturer of fire safety products. "Also |
| in the area of home fire safety as you launch into | | | | remember to replace old alarms by following the |
| your annual clean-up. | | | | 10/7 Replacement Rule: Smoke alarms must be |
| One task to include is searching across the house | | | | replaced every 10 years and carbon monoxide |
| and in the garage or storage areas for any | | | | alarms every 5-7 years, as recommended by the |
| empty or unused containers that could actually | | | | National Fire Protection Association." |
| pose a fire or toxic hazard, including containers of | | | | Only about one in four (26%) Canadians polled |
| paint, solvents, bleach and household cleaners. | | | | said they will be removing potential fire hazards |
| If your home has a fireplace, what will you do | | | | from their home, such as unused paints or |
| with any unused firewood now that spring is | | | | solvents, as well as unused fire wood. And just |
| here? Moving wood from inside the house out to | | | | over one in three (37%) said they will replace |
| the garage or a storage area makes good sense | | | | smoke alarm batteries in their home as part of |
| to enhance home fire safety. | | | | their annual spring cleaning campaign this year. |
| Two more fire safety 'action items' to remember | | | | The poll was conducted Jan. 15 to 20, 2010 on |
| are replacing the batteries in your home smoke | | | | behalf of Duracell and is based on a national |
| alarms, and if your smoke alarm is more than ten | | | | sample of 1,011 adults from Ipsos' Canadian online |
| years old, replace it. | | | | panel who were interviewed online. |
| Interestingly, a new Ipsos Reid poll conducted | | | | |