The rash of fires is one reason there are new fines and regulations that are coming into effect this month.
Until now, there was only five violations fire prevention inspection officers could hand out tickets for on the spot. Those violations only dealt with smoke alarms, but now another 41 violations have been added to that list.
"It’s kind of like the same as getting a speeding ticket essentially, you go in and if you find a violation under the fire code, you have the ability to write it on the spot," says Orillia’s Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Kirk.
Charging someone with a simple fire violation was as a long and costly court process, fire officials say this change is long overdue.
"These ticketable offenses are very simple to issue and expedite matters, so they’re a great tool to impress upon the minds of the public to get things done," says fire prevention officer, Paul Barritt.
Tickets that can be handed out on the spot range from $200 to $400. That includes failing to tag your fire extinguisher, propping a fire door open and not having a smoke or carbon monoxide alarm.
Property manager Dianne O'Brien keeps a fire maintenance record that helps her avoid a $260 fine.
"Everyone wants to feel safe, so we want them to feel safe by doing the prevention act; going through it every year, changing their smoke detectors," she says.
These changes don't just impact an apartment or a building itself and it's not just up to the landlord or the homeowner to comply. Many of the changes impact the tenant, putting the responsibility on the renter.
"Now the tenant is responsible for the smoke alarm,” says fire prevention inspection officer Terry Duff. “If it's not working correctly he has to notify the landlord that it's not working, or he can be issued a ticket as well."
Some of the new regulations are already in place, while others will be implemented by April 15.
