The West Grey Fire Department is challenging residents to test their smoke alarms.
Deputy Fire Chief Shawn Edwards is calling on all residents of West Grey to test their smoke alarms on Thursday, September 28 as part of Test Your Smoke Alarm Day. Smoke alarms are your best chance to keep you and your family safe in the event of a fire.
West Grey is joining communities across Ontario today by asking everyone to take a minute to ensure that there are working smoke alarms installed in their home.
According to a media release, Ontario lost 133 people to deadly fires in 2022, the highest number in over 20 years. Many of these fires were found to have no working smoke alarm.
“Being prepared to act in the event of a fire can start with simply pressing the test button and having the confidence that a working smoke alarm is in your home,” said Deputy Chief Edwards. “Lives will be saved by regularly testing smoke alarms at least once a month, refreshing batteries at least once a year and replacing smoke alarms older than ten years.”
“In Ontario, we’ve seen a significant rise in fatal fires and the number of people we have lost in these fires is very concerning,” added Ontario Fire Marshal Jon Pegg. “Entire families have been lost to fire and the most troubling part is that the majority of these fires did not have a working smoke alarm in the home. Had there been working smoke alarms, and a well thought out and practiced home fire escape plan, these deaths may have been prevented.”
For more information visit www.savedbythebeep.ca
