London firefighters began canvassing homes throughout the city on June 20 to determine whether everyone has working smoke alarms on every storey of their homes and outside all sleeping areas. Results to date have been very encouraging with a very positive response from the public.
In 2006, smoke alarm legislation in Ontario changed from requiring one smoke alarm in every home to the more stringent requirement of one on every level and outside all sleeping areas. According to the Ontario Fire Marshal’s Office, most fatal fires occur when people are sleeping. They are killed because they have no working smoke alarms to wake them up. Working smoke alarms have been proven to greatly increase the chance of survival.
“There is no doubt that working smoke alarms save lives, and our firefighters’ commitment to making London safer shows as they enthusiastically participate in this valuable fire education program,” said London Fire Department deputy chief Brian George in a news release.
During the summer smoke alarm program, when fire crews find a home unprotected, they have the discretion to provide a working smoke alarm or fresh battery to citizens on a limited income to ensure the occupants are alerted should a fire occur in their home.
An amnesty from charges applies to homeowners in their own homes and tenants living in rented homes; however, the fire department is not ruling out the possibility of charging negligent landlords who put their tenants in jeopardy. The penalties under the Ontario Fire Code range from a $235 fine to a potential court conviction and fine of up to $50,000 or one year in jail.
A trial program that ran for two months last year, and several Smoke Alarm Blitzes conducted in partnership with the London Home Builders’ Renovation Council, produced a heightened awareness of the need for working smoke alarms and home escape plans.
During the summer smoke alarm program, firefighters are providing fire safety literature and answering questions regarding fire prevention and fire protection in London. Technical questions regarding Fire Code issues are being referred to the Fire Prevention Division for follow-up.
The program is expected to run until early October.
