Time to Change your Clocks and Test for Working Smoke Alarms
Daylight saving begins this coming weekend and Caledon Fire & Emergency Services is strongly urging residents to replace the batteries in their smoke alarms and test them when they change their clocks. This is also the time to test all electrically powered smoke alarm units as well.
Your smoke alarm has the power to save your life. Or does it? “In order for smoke alarms to do their job, they need to work,” explained Deputy Fire Chief Mark Wallace. “Twice a year, batteries in smoke alarms should be replaced with new ones. When you change your clocks this weekend, change the batteries in all smoke alarms.”
Seconds count when fire strikes. In order to survive a fire, you need early warning and a well-practiced, effective home escape plan. When the smoke alarms sound, it is essential that every member of the household knows how to safely leave the home, and where to meet – away from the building and away from the danger.
It’s the law to have working smoke alarms on every storey of the home and outside all sleeping areas. For added protection, it is recommended to also install smoke alarms inside all bedrooms.
Landlords are responsible to ensure their rental properties comply with the law. 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 to remove the batteries or tamper with the alarm in any way.
All non-compliance with the Fire Code smoke alarm requirements can result in a ticket for $235 or a fine of up to $50,000 for individuals or $100,000 for corporations.
