Fire Chief Jay Plato is calling on residents of Niagara-on-the-Lake to test their smoke alarms on September 28 as part of Test Your Smoke Alarm Day! 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.
On September 28, Niagara-on-the-Lake will unite with communities across Ontario, urging everyone to take a moment to confirm that their homes have functional smoke alarms installed.
"Regularly testing your smoke alarms to ensure their proper functionality is incredibly important," stated Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa. "The 'Saved by the Beep' initiative serves as a lifesaving reminder to all residents: maintain functional smoke alarms to protect yourself and your loved ones. Checking your smoke alarms may be the most important thing you do on September 28.”
In the past year, Ontario tragically witnessed the loss of 133 lives in fatal fires, marking the highest toll in over two decades. Alarmingly, many of these incidents occurred in homes without functioning smoke alarms. This serves as an important reminder that only operational smoke alarms can provide the crucial early alert needed for you and your loved ones to evacuate in the event of a fire. Your safety matters, and working smoke alarms save lives.
“’Test Your Smoke Alarm Day’ is another fantastic initiative taking place across the province to educate homeowners on the importance of working smoke alarms,” stated CAO Marnie Cluckie. "Thank you to Fire & Emergency Services Staff for their community education efforts and commitment to keeping Niagara-on-the-Lake homes and families safe.”
"Smoke alarms serve as a vital warning system in times of danger and offer precious moments for a safe evacuation during emergencies," stated Fire Chief Jay Plato. "Be sure to regularly activate your alarms by pressing the test button and replace their batteries annually to safeguard your loved ones and your residence from the potentially devastating consequences of a fire. The Town's Fire & Emergency Services Department is glad to collaborate with communities throughout Ontario to promote the importance of having functional smoke alarms in every home."
The Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM), with the support of fire services and fire safety partners across Ontario, is asking Ontarians to regularly test their smoke alarms with a challenge to test all smoke alarms in their residence on September 28.
Quick Facts
- Smoke alarms have been legally required to be installed on every storey of a residence in Ontario since 2006.
- Residences also include vacation homes, cabins, trailers, RVs, and cottages.
- 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.
For more information, please visit http://savedbythebeep.ca/
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Media contact:
Marah Minor, Community Engagement and Communications Coordinator
905-468-3266 | communications@notl.com