Every Friday, Lynda Steele dips into the viewer mailbag to answer your questions. This week, Steele on Your Side looks at annoying robocalls and smoke alarm recommendations.
WestJet robocalls
Ehsan wrote CTV News after receiving robocalls claiming to be from WestJet. He says he had never received any calls until after he booked a flight with the airline and wants to know if robocallers obtained his phone number through WestJet.
WestJet officials say they regret people are getting these annoying calls, but the calls are not coming from them.
The company does not use telemarketers and does not share the private contact information of its guests.
WestJet says the people behind the calls are based in Mexico and it’s difficult to stop them because they operate outside Canadian borders.
The company wants to remind people to not provide any personal information to these callers, especially not credit cards.
Smoke detector recommendations
Jerry wrote Steele on Your Side after looking to buy a smoke alarm for his garage, where he says house fires can often start. When he got home he discovered the instructions inside the package said it wasn't suitable for use in a garage. He wants to know if there is a type of smoke detector that is suitable.
The Vancouver Fire Department says smoke alarms are not designed to work in extreme heat or cold, or in areas where smoke and dust are common.
Because of this, they should not be used in garages where it's usually colder and can be dusty.
Also, the smoke from engine exhaust fumes can cause nuisance alarms and clog a smoke detector.
Instead, the VFD recommends using a heat detector in garages.
