Tuesday, October 06, 2015
Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services
Smoke Alarms Keep Families Safe
Ontario Helps Launch Fire Prevention Week 2015
Ontario is helping launch Fire Prevention Week 2015 and the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management is encouraging families to install smoke alarms in every bedroom and test them regularly.
The theme of this year's Fire Prevention Week, which runs from October 4 to 10, is "Hear the Beep Where You Sleep - Every bedroom needs a working smoke alarm!" Communities and fire services across the province will be hosting a number of events to encourage Ontarians to have a working smoke alarm on every storey in their home, and to install one in every bedroom for added protection.
Functioning smoke alarms can increase chances of surviving a fire by up to 50 per cent. The Ontario Fire Code requires a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. Other fire prevention and safety tips include:
- Testing smoke alarms every month using the test button
- Replacing smoke alarm batteries at least once a year, and whenever the low battery warning chirps
- Replacing smoke alarms within the time frame indicated by the manufacturer -- usually ten years
- Developing and practicing a home fire escape plan so when a smoke alarm sounds, everyone knows what to do and where to meet
- Ensuring your home escape plan takes into account the unique needs of everyone in your family
- Reaching out to neighbours, friends and relatives who may need assistance with maintaining and testing their smoke alarms and developing a home fire escape plan.
Supporting programs that help prevent fires and keep people safe is part of the Ontario government's plan to invest in people, invest in our neighbourhoods and build stronger communities.
Quick Facts:
- It’s the responsibility of landlords to ensure their rental properties comply with the law.
- It’s against the law for tenants to remove the batteries or tamper with smoke alarms in any way.
- There was no warning, either because of defective or missing smoke alarms, in a third of all fatal home fires in the last five years in Ontario.
Additional Resources:
- To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in your community, please contact your local fire department or visit their website.
Quotes:
"Fire Prevention Week is the ideal time to learn what we can do to promote fire safety and keep our families and homes safe. We know the importance of working smoke alarms in saving lives and I want to commend fire services across the province for helping spread the incredibly important message of making sure Ontarians have a smoke alarm outside every bedroom. It could save their life, or the lives of their loved ones."
— Yasir Naqvi, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services
Media Contacts:
Brent Ross
Communications Branch
416-314-7024
Lauren Callighen
Minister’s Office
416-325-5982
Jude Kelly
Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management
647-329-1064
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