According to the National Fire Protection Association, homes with working Smoke Alarms cuts your risk of dying in a fire by nearly half. Where some fire deaths occurred, Smoke Alarms were present but did not activate. In 85% of the cases where the smoke alarm did not activate, it was due to a dead or missing battery or disconnected power source. The largest percentage of fire deaths in the home occurs at night when people are asleep. Therefore, a working Smoke Alarm by your sleeping area will provide early warning and can make the difference between life and death.

A working Smoke Alarm should be part of an overall home safety strategy, which includes preventing fires by adopting fire safe behavior in your home (i.e careless smoking) and developing and practicing a home Fire Escape Plan. An Escape Plan is a critical aspect of a “Fire safe home strategy”. If your Smoke Alarm has been activated you should know two ways out!

Where should I install my Smoke Alarms?

Install Smoke Alarms on every level of your home and outside all sleeping areas. Always follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions. Dust can clog a smoke alarm, so carefully vacuum the inside of a battery powered unit using the soft bristle brush. If electrically connected, shut off the power and vacuum the outside vents only. Restore power and test unit when finished. In the event of a fire, a Working Smoke Alarm can save your life and those of your Loved ones. They are one of the most important means of preventing house and apartment fire fatalities by providing an early warning signal - so you and your family can escape.

Test and clean your Smoke Alarms regularly to make sure they are working!

The Georgina Fire Department has implemented a Smoke Alarm program which consists of our Fire Crews going door to door to assist in the installation and maintenance of your Smoke Alarms as well as answering any questions you might have in regards to Fire Safety in your home. This program also includes visits to all our seasonal residents to ensure their smoke alarms are working.

Under the Ontario Fire Code, every home in Ontario is required to have working smoke alarms on every level of the home.

Homeowners must ensure that smoke alarms are installed on every level of their home and outside all sleeping areas. They are also required to maintain the smoke alarms in working order.

In rental accommodation, the obligation to install and maintain smoke alarms in operating condition falls to the landlord. Landlords must also provide smoke alarm maintenance information to the occupant of each unit.

It is an offence for any person to disable a smoke alarm. This requirement applies equally to homeowners, landlords and tenants.