Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are in good working order.
It’s not only for safety, it’s also the law. That’s the message from the Guelph Fire Department after fines were handed out to a Guelph landlord of a six-unit multi-residential building.
A corporation who owns the building, and an officer identified as the landlord, were fined a total of $2,870 after a safety inspection last year.
The corporation, landlord and location of the building was not identified.
“During this inspection, multiple fire code violations related to smoke and carbon monoxide alarms were discovered,” said Matt Valeriote, the chief fire prevention officer.
Valeriote said the alarms were “expired, not maintained in operating condition or not present.”
Valeriote said owners and landlords are responsible for ensuring compliance with the Ontario Fire Code in buildings at all times.
“Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are the law and save lives,” he said.
“Fires today spread very quickly, and occupants have as little as one to three minutes to safely escape their homes in the event of a fire. Alarms, when properly installed and maintained in operating condition, provide the early detection required so that occupants are able to safely escape in the event of a fire.”
He added some regulations have recently changed.
Among the changes that took effect Jan. 1, working carbon monoxide alarms are required on every floor of your home.
For more information, you’re urged to contact your local fire department.