Message from ~ Plympton-Wyoming Fire Chief's

Working Smoke Alarms: IT'S THE LAW !

    Research has proven that with sufficient working smoke alarms in a home, occupants may have the precious seconds they need to safely escape a fire.

Residential Fire Statistics:
    - Over 90% of residential fires are preventable
    - An injury is reported in 1 out of every 17 preventable home fires - and not all
        injuries are reported.
    - 1 out of every 100 preventable residential fires is a fatal fire.

Conclusion:
    Smoke alarms are critical safety devices that have been in existence for at least 30 years, however, Ontarians still continue to die in homes without working smoke alarms.  This is why the provincial campaign "Working Smoke Alarms:  It's the Law" was developed -


EVERY HOME IN ONTARIO MUST HAVE A WORKING SMOKE ALARM ON EVERY STOREY AND OUTSIDE ALL SLEEPING AREAS  -  IT'S THE LAW !


     Ensuring homeowners, landlords and tenants of residential occupancies are aware of their responsibilities and comply with the smoke alarm requirements will significantly increase public safety in Ontario.

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.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE FIRE CODE SMOKE ALARM REQUIREMENTS COULD RESULT IN A TICKET FOR $235 OR
A FINE OF UP TO $50,000 FOR INDIVIDUALS OR
$100,000 FOR CORPORATIONS.

Important Smoke Alarm Safety Facts:
    - All Ontario single family, semi-detached and town homes, whether owner-occupied or
         rented,   must have a working smoke alarm on every storey, and outside all sleeping areas.
    - If anyone in the household sleeps with the bedroom door closed, install an alarm inside
        their bedroom.
    - Never remove the batteries from smoke alarms.  If nuisance alarms are a problem, try moving
         the alarm to another location or purchase an alarm with a "hush feature" that temporarily
         silences the alarm.
    - Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
    - Test smoke alarms once a month, replace the batteries every year, and whenever the
         low-battery warning chirps.
    - Make sure 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.
    - When installing smoke alarms, refer to the manufacturer's instructions for information about
         correct placement.
    - Steam from the shower or cooking in the oven, stove or toaster can cause smoke alarms
         to activate.  DO NOT REMOVE THE BATTERY.  Instead, try moving the
         alarm to a different location.  For further information about dealing with nuisance alarms,
         visit the OFM website: www.ofm.gov.on.ca.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT SMOKE ALARMS, CONTACT YOUR FIRE DEPARTMENT.

        camlachiefire@plympton-wyoming.com    -or -  wyomingfire@plympton-wyoming.com