Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services encourages the public to test all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in the home at least once a month – firefighters will even show you how.
With the Victoria Day holiday weekend coming up, the start of the Sault Ste. Marie Fire Services In-Service Smoke and CO Alarm Program is following closely behind. Firefighters will be going door-to-door in neighbourhoods throughout the city spreading awareness about fire safety to the citizens of Sault Ste. Marie. The In-Service Program starts on Tuesday, May 19. Firefighters will start at 6 p.m., with a Monday to Thursday schedule in place.
“The purpose of the program is to spread awareness and answer any questions citizens may have about fire safety,” Public Education Officer Aaron Gravelle says in a media release. “Invite them into your home. We are not writing ticket violations; we just want everyone to be safe and aware of the protections systems they have or should have in their homes.”
As of Jan. 1, there were changes to the Ontario Fire Code in regard to carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. Every home that requires a CO alarm must now have an alarm installed on every storey and on storeys with sleeping areas, they shall be installed adjacent to the sleeping area.
“There is a significant change in the Ontario Fire Code for 2026, and we want to make sure that homeowners understand the new requirements,” says Gravelle. When the firefighters arrive at your home, invite them; they will offer valuable fire safety information with awareness pamphlets, discussions about alarms, home escape plans, as well as offer to test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in the home.
“As part of the testing, firefighters will be checking the date on the back of the alarms to ensure they have not expired. The program will run until Thursday, Oct. 1. This will be closely followed by the start of Fire Prevention Week on Oct. 4.