Working smoke alarms - it's the law

The Town of Caledon Fire & Emergency Services is concerned with the number of homes and apartments in Caledon that still do not have working smoke alarms.

Proper installation and care of smoke alarms will allow occupants to have the precious seconds they need to safely escape a fire.

The Fire & Emergency Services Department is enforcing a recent amendment to the Ontario Fire Code that requires every residential home and dwelling unit to have a working smoke alarm on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. It is against the law to disable a smoke alarm.

"There is no question that working smoke alarms save lives," said Mark Wallace, chief fire prevention officer. "This amendment was introduced to help make Ontario residents as safe as possible from fire. Homeowners, landlords and tenants all have a duty and responsibility to comply with the regulation."

In approximately 50 per cent of fatal home fires that occur annually in Ontario, the victims had no smoke alarm warning. For homeowners, tenants and individual landlords, non-compliance with the smoke alarm requirements in the Ontario Fire Code can result in a ticket of $235 or a fine of up to $50,000. Since March of 2006, the Town's Fire & Emergency Services Department has been enforcing these requirements by issuing $235 offence notices for smoke alarm infractions.

Important smoke alarm safety facts:

* All Ontario single family, semi-detached and town homes, whether owner-occupied or rented, must have a working smoke alarm on every level, and outside all sleeping areas.

* If anyone in the household sleeps with the bedroom door closed, install an alarm inside their bedroom.

* Never remove the batteries from smoke alarms - if nuisance alarms are a problem, try moving the alarm to another location or purchase an alarm with a "hush feature" that temporarily silences the alarm.

* Test smoke alarms once a month and replace the batteries every year.

* Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.

* Ensure everyone in the household knows what to do if the smoke alarm sounds - develop a home fire escape plan and practice it with the entire household.

For information about smoke alarm requirements, installation and maintenance, contact Town of Caledon Fire & Emergency Services at 905-584-2272.