Smoke Alarms
Most fatal fires occur at night when people are
asleep. Often, victims never wake up.
A working smoke alarm will detect smoke and
sound an alarm to alert you, giving you
precious time to escape.
Every home in Ontario must have a working
smoke alarm on every storey and outside all
sleeping areas. You may also be required to have carbon monoxide detectors in your home.
Click here for detailed information on smoke alarm installation and maintenance.
How can we be prepared?
In addition to having working smoke alarms, testing them regularly and changing batteries, it is important to ensure that everyone in the household knows what to do if the smoke alarm sounds. Develop a home fire escape plan and practice it with the entire household.
The Town of BWG conducts an annual Home Smoke Alarm Program, going door-to-door to assist residents in checking that they have the correct working equipment. For further information on fire safety and prevention or to schedule a home visit, call the Fire Prevention Division of the Bradford West Gwillimbury Fire Department at 905-775-7311.
Whose responsibility is it?
Homeowners:
It is the responsibility of homeowners to install and maintain smoke alarms on every storey of their home and outside sleeping areas.
Landlords:
It is the responsibility of landlords to ensure their rental properties comply with the law.
Tenants:
If you are a tenant of a rental property and do not have the required number of smoke alarms, contact your landlord immediately. It is against the law for tenants to remove the batteries or tamper with the alarm in any way.
