NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF ORILLIA
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The Orillia Fire Department is spreading lifesaving information throughout the coming months as the annual Alarmed for Life program kicks off on May 1, 2019.
“Orillia Fire crews will be out in the community going door-to-door offering assistance and advice to homeowners,” said acting Orillia Fire Chief Brent Thomas. “With changes in laws and technology, we want to ensure Orillia residents have the smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarm information they need to keep themselves and their families safe.
"If residents have smoke or CO alarm questions or concerns, we encourage them to contact us immediately," said Thomas.
Each week from May 1 to Sept. 31, fire crews will be delivering important public education materials to homeowners and tenants in neighbourhoods throughout the city.
If residents are unsure if they are adequately protected, firefighters will check to ensure that smoke and CO alarms are properly located and operating correctly.
In 48 per cent of Ontario’s fatal fires between 2011 and 2015, the smoke alarms had no connection to power. It was found that either the smoke alarm batteries were dead or they had been removed.
Changes in smoke alarm technology address the temptation to disable these devices because of nuisance alarms.
Smoke alarms are required on every storey of the home and between living areas and sleeping areas. In homes built after Jan. 1, 2016, smoke alarms are also required in each sleeping room.
CO alarms are required to be installed adjacent to every sleeping room in homes where there is a fuel burning appliance or an attached garage. For added protection, we recommend the installation of a CO alarm on every storey of the home.
For more information on smoke and CO alarms, please visit orillia.ca/alarms.
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