Wed, 18 May 2016
If your home is 10 to 12 years old, you may get a friendly visit from members of the Oakville Fire department during the next couple of months.
Oakville firefighters will be knocking on doors across town as part of the Home Awareness Program running from May 24 to July 31, 2016. This year crews will target homes that are 10 to 12 years old in an effort to educate homeowners about the need to replace smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms before they reach their expiry date.
“We want to make sure residents take every precaution to stay safe if a fire occurs in their home,” said Fire Chief Brian Durdin. “Many people don’t realize that smoke alarms lose their effectiveness over time. Maintaining smoke and CO alarms means not only testing them every month, but also replacing them before they reach their expiry date.”
The door-to-door safety campaign also provides residents an opportunity to discuss fire safety issues with trained firefighters who will distribute fire safety information and conduct a quick survey to help identify fire hazards that should be addressed by the homeowner.
Battery operated and hardwired smoke alarms need to be replaced every 10 years. CO alarms also have a shelf life and should be installed and replaced according to manufacturer’s instructions in order to remain effective. The Oakville Fire department recommends hiring a licensed electrical contractor to replace hardwired smoke and CO alarms. Residents can find one in their area by visiting the Electrical Safety Authority website.
It is the law in Ontario to have working smoke alarms and CO alarms in your home or cottage. For more information, including home fire safety tips, visit the Fire Safety and Guidelines page.