According to the Hawkesbury Fire Department, during Residential Fire Prevention Visits to homes across town in 2025, firefighters found that 39 per cent of homes were not compliant with the Ontario Fire Code—most due to missing or defective smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms.
Residents are also reminded to not remove their smoke alarm and to use the hush button if it accidentally goes off.
Working smoke and CO alarms are not just required by law—they are essential to keeping you and your family safe.
The Hawkesbury Fire Department reminds all residents to install smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside all sleeping areas. Effective January 2026, the Ontario Fire Code requires CO alarms outside sleeping areas and on each storey without a sleeping area if your home has fuel-burning appliances or an attached garage.
Test your alarms monthly and replace batteries twice a year. Replace smoke alarms every 10 years and CO alarms as per the manufacturer’s instructions.