Annual home smoke alarm campaign kicks off

Starting June 26, uniformed firefighters from Waterloo Fire Rescue will be knocking on doors to kick off the annual Home Smoke Alarm Campaign.

After being on pause since 2019, the program will resume this year with firefighters visiting 4,500 properties across Waterloo throughout the summer and into the fall. The goal is to raise awareness about the importance of smoke alarms, home fire escape planning and carbon monoxide alarms.

In 2022, 133 people died in Ontario as a result of residential fires. Earlier this month, a Waterloo resident passed away following a devastating house fire.

“The statistics show that most fatal fires occur in homes that did not have working smoke alarms,” says Deputy Chief Sandy van Solm. “We all have to remember and keep telling each other that smoke alarms save lives. Make sure you have smoke alarms installed and practise a fire drill with your loved ones. Don’t wait until it’s too late."

Under the Ontario Fire Code, homes have to have a working smoke alarm on each storey and outside of each sleeping area. Carbon monoxide alarms are also required outside sleeping areas if the home has an attached garage, a fuel-fired appliance or a wood stove.

For more information on fire safety, please visit the Waterloo Fire Rescue webpage or follow @Waterloo_Fire on Twitter.

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Media contact:
Linda Adam
Fire Prevention Officer and Public Education Officer
Waterloo Fire Rescue
519-884-2121
TTY: 1-866-786-3941
linda.adam@waterloo.ca