2019 home smoke alarm campaign kicks off
The next knock on your door could be a City of Waterloo firefighter – it’s time for the annual home smoke alarm campaign.
What: 2019 home smoke alarm campaign
When: May 27 to September 30, 2019
Where: homes across Waterloo
“Of all the home fires in Ontario, over 50% of the homes did not have working smoke alarms on every level and outside all sleeping areas,” says public education officer John Percy. “This program allows our firefighters to visit residents and educate them about fire safety – working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan with at least two ways out of the home.” Firefighters will also remind residents about the law regarding carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in the home.
This summer, firefighters from all four stations will visit 4500 properties across Waterloo. Homeowners will be asked a series of questions, as firefighters record their answers, to determine the public’s knowledge about smoke alarms, home fire escape planning and CO alarms. These questions include:
- How much time do you have to safely escape your home if a fire starts?
- How many smoke alarms do you need in your home as per the Ontario Fire Code?
- How often do you need to test and replace the batteries in your smoke alarms?
- Where do you require CO alarms in your home?
Should homeowners answer incorrectly, firefighters will take the opportunity to share the correct answer and provide valuable information about fire and life safety.
“Provincial legislation mandates that all homes have working smoke alarms on every level and outside all sleeping areas,” emphasizes Percy. As of April 2015 working CO alarms are required in the home outside of all sleeping areas. “The more we can educate residents about smoke and CO alarms, the better prepared they will be.”
For more information on fire and life safety, please visit the Waterloo Fire Rescue website at www.waterloo.ca/fire or our Twitter page @Waterloo_Fire.
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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