Firefighters Hope College Kids Have Put Alarms To The Test

College kids settling into their new digs..clothes put away..pictures put up..smoke and carbon monoxide alarms tested – at least, Samantha Hoffman at Barrie Fire Service hopes they’ve been tested, “You have three minutes for an entire room to ‘flash’ which means everything in the room bursts into flames at the same time. Three minutes is not a long time.” Seconds count, and it only takes a few seconds to test those alarms – push the button, wait five seconds, if it starts to squeal great, if not, figure out why it didn’t. Hoffman dispenses more advice, not just for the college dorm or house but for everyone’s home in our interview below.