Fire safety officials are reminding residents to put their smoke alarms to the test this weekend as part of Ontario’s annual Test Your Smoke Alarm Day.
The campaign, branded under the slogan “Saved by the Beep,” was created by the Office of the Fire Marshal after 2023 marked the deadliest year for fire fatalities in two decades.
With 122 people losing their lives in residential fires that year – many in homes without working smoke alarms – the initiative is designed to prevent future tragedies with one simple habit: testing your alarms.
Norfolk County Fire Department Fire Prevention Officer Corey Armstrong Smith says while alarms are essential, prevention starts well before the first beep.
One of the main sources of fires remain in the kitchen as well.
You are asked to stay with your cooking – that does include at the BBQ.
Armstrong-Smith also reminded residents that simply pressing the test button only confirms the alarm has power – it doesn’t mean the device is still able to detect smoke.
He adds that alarms do have expiration dates, so are asked to check those when you test the alarm.
Modern technology has also introduced “latching alarms,” which hold onto their last detection and must be reset properly by the homeowner.
If not, they can trigger nuisance alarms hours or even days later, a problem many Ontario residents have been experiencing as older alarms reach expiry.
Smith urges people to read the instructions that come with their devices or look up their model online to understand what different signals mean.
With colder weather approaching and heating appliances starting up again, the Norfolk County Fire Department is stressing the importance of checking both smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors.
This is the time of year when many people will begin flicking their heat on for the first time.
For more information, visit savedbythebeep.caand join the conversation on social media using #SavedByTheBeep.