Fire Chief Jason Whiteley wants you to test your smoke alarms toay as part of Test Your Smoke Alarm Day.
North Bay is joining communities across Ontario by asking everyone to take a minute and ensure that there are working smoke alarms installed in their home. Be prepared to be "Saved by the Beep" with a working smoke alarm – it is your best chance to keep you and your family safe in the event of a fire.
“Being prepared to act in the event of a fire can start with simply pressing the test button and having the confidence that a working smoke alarm is in your home,” said Whiteley. “Lives will be saved by regularly testing smoke alarms at least once a month, refreshing batteries at least once a year, and replacing smoke alarms older than 10 years.”
In 2022, Ontario lost 133 people to deadly fires – the highest number in over 20 years. Many of these fires were found to have no working smoke alarm.
“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.”
Smoke alarms have been legally required to be installed on every storey of a residence in Ontario since 2006.
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.
