Saturday marks 'Test Your Smoke Alarm Day'

Local fire departments are urging residents to test their smoke alarms on Saturday for 'Test Your Smoke Alarm Day.'

The Barrie Fire and Emergency Service (BFES) officials say they want residents to be prepared to be 'Saved by the Beep' with a working smoke alarm, as it is the best chance to keep residents safe in the event of a fire.

Bradford, Newmarket, Collingwood and other fire departments in the region are also using September 28 to remind residents to test their smoke alarms once a month, refresh batteries at least once a year and replace smoke alarms older than ten years.

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According to Savedbythebeep.ca, there were 133 fire fatalities in Ontario in 2022, the highest in 20 years.

"This is heartbreaking. We can't emphasize enough that the simple act of testing your smoke alarm can save your life," said Collingwood Fire Chief Dan Thurman in a media release. "It takes less than a minute and should be done regularly."

Other facts:

• By law, every home in Ontario must have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas.
• It is the homeowner's responsibility to install and maintain smoke alarms on every storey of their home and outside sleeping areas and a landlord's responsibility to ensure their rental properties comply with the law.
• If you are a tenant of a rental property and do not have the required number of smoke alarms, contact your landlord immediately. It is against the law for tenants to remove the batteries or tamper with the alarm in any way.
• Failure to comply with the Fire Code smoke alarm requirements can result in ticket or fine.

Source: City of Barrie