Falls fire officials spring ahead
Fire chief stresses battery replacement in smoke, CO alarms
The Niagara Falls Fire Department is asking residents to spring into fire safety this weekend as they move their clocks ahead one hour by replacing the batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
The fire department also wants residents to test the alarms to make sure they work.
“Changing the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms is an easy and affordable way to ensure your family is protected,” said fire Chief Jim Boutilier.
“We know these alarms save lives in the event of an emergency, but residents have to do their part and make sure the alarms in their home are in working condition.”
There have been 16 fire-related deaths in Ontario in 2018, said the fire department.
Fire officials continue to stress the importance of residents taking responsibility for their own fire safety by ensuring the required alarms are installed and by having a home escape plan.
“We see a lot of complacency among the public with regards to fire safety,” said Boutilier.
“We find a lot of people don’t make fire safety a priority and the simple task of installing alarms, maintaining them and working out an escape plan with their family will greatly improve their safety.”
It’s the law in Ontario to have working smoke alarms on every storey of the home and outside all sleeping areas.
For added protection, fire officials recommend installing smoke alarms inside all bedrooms.
Carbon-monoxide alarms must be installed outside all sleeping areas if your home has a fuelburning appliance, fireplace, or attached garage.
Failing to install smoke or carbon-monoxide alarms, tampering with or removing batteries from smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms, is against the law and people can be fined up to $50,000 and/or one year in jail.