Fire Chief Volpe is calling on all residents of Aurora and Newmarket to test their smoke alarms on September 28 as part of Test Your Smoke Alarm Day. Central York Fire Services (CYFS) is joining communities across Ontario by asking everyone to take a minute to ensure that there are working smoke alarms installed in their home.
"In the event of fire, we want our residents to be 'Saved by the Beep' so they can be alerted to fire, get out and get help right away," says CYFS Fire Chief Rocco Volpe. "Emergencies aren't simple, but being prepared can be and it starts by pressing the 'test' button on your smoke alarm to know if it works. Test your smoke alarm monthly, refresh batteries annually and replace smoke alarms older than 10 years. These small steps can save lives."
In 2022, Ontario lost 133 people to deadly fires – the highest number in over 20 years. Unfortunately, in many of these tragic events, working smoke alarms were not present in the building. Having working smoke alarms in your home will alert you to a fire and give you and your loved ones enough time to safely escape.
"In Ontario, we've seen a significant rise in fatal fires and the number of people we have lost in these fires is very concerning," said Ontario Fire Marshal Jon Pegg. "Entire families have been lost to fire and the most troubling part is that the majority of these fires did not have a working smoke alarm in the home. Had there been working smoke alarms, and a well thought out and practiced home fire escape plan, these deaths may have been prevented."
The Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM), with the support of fire services and fire safety partners across Ontario, is asking Ontarians to regularly test their smoke alarms with a challenge to test all smoke alarms in their residence on September 28.
For more information visit www.savedbythebeep.ca
Quick Facts:
Smoke alarms have been legally required to be installed on every storey of a residence in Ontario since 2006. As well, a carbon monoxide alarm is required outside sleeping areas.
Residences also include vacation homes, cabins, trailers, RVs, and cottages.
Landlords must test alarms annually, after the battery is replaced, and after every change in tenancy. Renters must notify their landlord as soon as they become aware that a smoke alarm is not operating.
