The Brantford Fire Department, in partnership with the Ontario Fire Marshal and fire departments across the province, are encouraging residents to participate in Test Your Smoke Alarm Day on Saturday, September 28, 2024.
The campaign aims to educate the public about the importance of installing and maintaining working smoke alarms in their homes.
“As Brantford’s Fire Chief, my top priority is keeping our community safe,” said Todd Binkley, Fire Chief for the City of Brantford. “One of the simplest and most effective ways to do that is by ensuring your smoke alarms are working properly. I urge everyone to take just a few minutes to test their alarms at home. Working smoke alarms provide an early warning of a fire emergency, and they significantly impact the chances of survival in a house fire. Let’s all do our part to protect ourselves, our families and our neighbours.”
The Brantford Fire Department encourages all residents to implement the following in their homes:
- Purchase alarms that bear a certification marking from an authorized testing laboratory.
- Install and maintain working smoke alarms, at minimum, on every level of the home (including the basement) and outside of sleeping areas.
- Test alarms once per month to ensure they are in working order.
- Check the date. Smoke alarms expire approximately every ten years. Check the back or side of the alarm to see if it is time for a new one – even if they are hardwired.
- Conduct annual maintenance on all alarms. Vacuum them once per year and change the batteries twice per year, if applicable.
The Brantford Fire Department will also be hosting a free community open house in honour of Test Your Smoke Alarm Day. The event will take place at Brantford Fire’s Station No. 2, located at 21 Fairview Drive, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2024. The open house will include a variety of family-friendly activities, as well as a free BBQ beginning at 11 a.m. while quantities last.
