2021 virtual home smoke alarm campaign kicks off

Posted On Thursday June 03, 2021

The summer season is just around the corner and we are ready to launch our 2021 virtual home smoke alarm program. 

Prior to COVID, our firefighters would visit 4500 homes in Waterloo every summer and educate residents on home fire and life safety. This year we cannot visit in-person; however we can offer many resources to keep you and your loved ones safe from fire. 

In 2020, 114 people in Ontario died in fires. This represents a 35 per cent increase over a 10-year period. This year as of May 19 there has been 54 deaths in Ontario. “We have to take fire safety in the home seriously while we are staying home more due to COVID,” says Waterloo Fire Chief Richard Hepditch. “You need to ensure you have working and non-expired smoke alarms and practice a fire drill at home with your loved ones with at least two ways out”. 

In June, the top ignition sources of fires were: 

    • Cooking equipment
    • Barbecues
    • Smoking
    • Electrical fires

We encourage residents to visit our Google Classroom to check out our many resources, videos and photos from Waterloo Fire Rescue. Children and adults can go to the classroom to learn about home fire and life safety.
 

Name of Google Classroom: Waterloo Fire Rescue Fire & Life Safety Public Education

Class Code: ckoh3rf

 

For more information about fire and life safety, please visit the Waterloo Fire Rescue website at www.waterloo.ca/fire or our Twitter page @Waterloo_Fire.

 

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For more information,

John Percy
Public Education Officer
Waterloo Fire Rescue
519-884-6030, ext. 23309
TTY: 1-866-786-3941
Email: john.percy@waterloo.ca

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