You can prevent carbon monoxide poisoning by having a qualified service professional inspect your fuel-burning appliances yearly, and by installing a ULC / CSA approved carbon monoxide alarm near all fuel-burning appliances. Also avoid using charcoal or propane grills in a home, tent, trailer, or unventilated garage. Do no run vehicles inside an attached garage even with the door open, and ensure all fuel-burning appliances are properly ventilated.

Carbon monoxide alarms are good for anywhere from 2 to 10 years so consult your owner's manual to see when your alarm will need to be replaced.

Carbon monoxide is roughly the same weight as air and will mix evenly throughout a room so an alarm can be installed at any height in a room.

Early signs of carbon monoxide poisoning are flu-like symptoms including nausea, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, confusion, burning eyes, and loss of muscle control. Carbon monoxide poisoning often causes a victim's blood pressure to rise, turning the victim's skin a pink or red cast.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a poisonous gas that cannot be heard, seen, smelt, or tasted. This has led to it being given the nickname of "silent killer."

Yes.

Town of Taber commercial burn permits are issued at the discretion of the Fire Chief. Applications must be made in person at the fire hall (William Ferguson Emergency Services Building). Recreational fire pits are allowed without a permit number in the Town of Taber and must follow bylaw requirements.

As part of Taber’s accreditation under the Safety Codes Act, fire inspections are conducted for all businesses and public facilities as per the Quality Management Plan for the Town of Taber. Please feel free to contact the Fire Department for further information regarding the scheduling of these inspections.

Fireworks are restricted by the Alberta Fire Code and the Fire Services Bylaw. Fire department permission is required for all fireworks transactions and displays. If you have any further questions, contact the Fire Department at 403-223-6010.

Fire pits are classified as recreational fires. Permissible fire pits under the Bylaw have the following characteristics:

• Supervised by a person 18 years of age or older, burning only clean dry wood
• 10’ (3.048 m) away from any property line or structure
• Constructed of noncombustible material on a noncombustible base
• Covered with a ¼” (6mm) max. metal mesh grate

Secondary suites existing prior to December 31, 2006 must conform to Alberta Fire Code requirements. Adequate bedroom window sizes are required, smoke alarms must be hard wired and interconnected in suites, and exits must be protected. There is no “grandfather clause,” suites not meeting these requirements must be upgraded.

Fire extinguishers should be inspected each month and maintained in accordance with the owner's manual that came with the fire extinguisher.

The A, B, and C indicate the type of fire that the fire extinguisher is capable of fighting. Class A fires are fires involving ordinary combustibles (i.e. wood, paper, plastic, or cloth). Class B fires are fires involving flammable or combustible liquids. Class C fires are fires involving energized electrical equipment. the number in front of the fire class refers to the size of the fire, in square or cubic feet that the extinguisher should extinguish. For example, a 1-A extinguisher should extinguish a 1 cubic foot Class A fire, and a 1-B extinguisher should extinguish a 1 square foot Class B fire. Class C fire extinguishers are not assigned a rating.

The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) recommends a minimum of one extinguisher per floor with a rating of 2-A-B:C or higher.

Both ionization alarms and photoelectric alarms are acceptable for residential use; just ensure that the alarm has been tested to the CAN / ULC S531-M standard.

Yes. Every month your smoke alarm should be tested by pressing and holding the test button until the alarm sounds. It should also be cleaned every six months by gently vacuuming the exterior of the alarm. For battery operated alarms the batteries should be replaced twice per year; a good time is when you change your clocks in both the spring or fall: change your clocks, change your batteries. Batteries should also be replaced when the alarm makes a chirping sound.

Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.

1. Using a pot holder or oven mitt carefully place a lid over the pot or pan. Turn off the element. Do not move the pot from the stove until it it cool. If the fire does not go out immediately, leave your home and call 911.
2. If the fire starts in your oven, keep the oven door closed and turn the heat source off.
3. For a microwave fire, keep the microwave door closed and turn it off.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions, but some key points are: on the ceiling; away from windows, doors, or registers where drafts could prevent smoke from reaching the alarm; and outside of each sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.