The Town of St. Marys is proud to support Ontario’s Test Your Smoke Alarm Day on Sept. 28. This annual initiative serves as an important reminder of the critical role working smoke alarms play in saving lives, along with the need for fire safety awareness and home fire escape planning.
Every home in Ontario is required by law to have working smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas. For added protection, alarms should also be installed inside bedrooms. Homeowners are responsible for installation and maintenance, while tenants must promptly notify landlords of any issues.
“Smoke alarms save lives. In a fire, you may have less than 60 seconds to escape safely, and working smoke alarms give you those vital seconds,” says Phil West, fire chief for the Town of St. Marys. “This day is about turning awareness into action. Test your alarms, talk with your family about escape planning, and make fire safety part of your routine.”
Residents are encouraged to test alarms by pressing the test button monthly, replace batteries annually, and replace entire alarms every 10 years or as directed by the manufacturer.