Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service reminds residents to check their smoke alarms on September 28

Since 2020, Ontario has seen an rising pattern in deadly residential fires and fireplace deaths. Many of those tragedies may have been prevented if a working smoke alarm had been current. To date, Ontario has recorded 92 fireplace fatalities this yr.

“The increased number of fatal fires and fire deaths across the province is extremely concerning,” stated Ontario Fire Marshal Jon Pegg. “Whether people have a false sense of safety or the mistaken belief that fire will not happen to them, too many homes in the province lack basic protection against a fatal fire: a working smoke alarm.”

In assist of Test Your Smoke Alarm Day, the Office of the Fire Marshal developed the Saved by the Beep marketing campaign. This yr’s marketing campaign is student-focused and features a new e-resource package for educators to make use of in school rooms throughout Ontario to ship very important fireplace security info to college students aged 4 to 12 and their households. The OFM additionally collaborated with TVOKids and Science North in Sudbury to ship enjoyable, easy-to-understand programming that emphasizes smoke alarms and residential fireplace escape plans as key fundamentals for staying fireplace secure.

“A working smoke alarm is a simple and effective tool that keeps you and your family safe from the dangers of fire,” stated Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “When seconds count, that early warning can mean the difference between life and death. On Test Your Smoke Alarm Day, I encourage everyone to test their alarms and review their home escape plans. Together, we can protect Ontario – one beep at a time.”

Locally, Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service is supporting the marketing campaign with a robust reminder to residents:

“Smoke alarms save lives. It’s the law to have working smoke alarms on every storey of your home and outside all sleeping areas, but more importantly—it’s your best chance at surviving a fire,” stated Fire Chief Terry Jones. “We are asking every household in Kawartha Lakes to take a few minutes on September 28 to press the test button. That beep means your family is protected.”

“Testing only takes seconds, and it’s something children can learn to do alongside their parents,” added Katie Dukelow, Fire Prevention Public Educator. “We encourage families to make it part of their routine—just like changing the batteries or practicing a fire escape plan. One small habit can make all the difference.”

For extra info, go to savedbythebeep.ca. Residents may make a pledge to check their smoke alarms and join a month-to-month reminder to maintain their houses fireplace secure.

Quick Facts:

• Most deadly fires happen in houses that wouldn’t have working smoke alarms.
• Smoke alarms needs to be examined each month, and batteries needs to be modified at the very least every year. Smoke alarms needs to be changed after 10 years of use.
• By regulation, a working smoke alarm have to be put in on each storey and outdoors all sleeping areas in each house in Ontario.
• The new e-resource package for educators shall be distributed to all faculty boards throughout the province.

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