The Pembroke Fire Department is encouraging everyone to take a few seconds to ensure they have a working smoke detector.
Smoke detectors are a vital part of the home to ensure lives, and as the province looks to launch their first ever “Test Your Smoke Alarm Day” on Sept. 28, and fire chief Scott Selle says taking time to educate families is paramount.
“We encourage everyone to take the seconds it takes to test their alarms to make sure they’re all working,” he says. “They should also discuss what the sound means, what to do when it goes off, and have an escape plan.
“It’s an opportunity for everyone to get together and discuss fire safety, especially around smoke detectors.”
According to the Ontario Fire Marshall (OFM), there were 133 fire fatalities in 2022 – the highest number in two decades – but locally, Selle says he has only seen one that was attributed to smoke detectors.
“That was enough for me to want to push this, because I know what can happen if there are no working smoke alarms in a building,” he says.
Having a working smoke detector is a big part of recognizing a fire, but Selle also says there are other factors families need to take into place to ensure everyone is safe, and how the department needs to respond.
Selle says that for the cost of time and money, it’s a small investment to save a life, and there should be enough in a home to alert occupants.
“If you have a two-story home with a basement, there would need to be three – one on every level – and depending on how the layout of the bedrooms are you’d need one outside of every sleeping area,” Selle says.
The theme for Fire Prevention Week is “Charge into Fire Safety,” where departments will not only focus on smoke detectors, but also lithium-ion batteries and how they impact our lives.
