Working Smoke Alarms Alert Occupants and Prevent Tragedy

At 1:30am on Friday February 17th, the Arnprior Fire Department responded to a report of smell of smoke and alarms sounding in a semi-detached residence. Four (4) residents had evacuated the residence, having been alerted by working smoke alarms. A small smoldering fire confined to a stovetop in one of the units was quickly extinguished. Volunteer Firefighters then ventilated residual smoke from both units, conducted air quality monitoring and ensured all smoke and carbon monoxide alarms were still functioning as intended.

This positive outcome reinforces the importance of having working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home. The Arnprior Fire Department would like to take this opportunity to remind residents of the following key life safety messages:

• Ontario law requires working smoke alarms be located on every storey ofthe home and outside all sleeping areas. Test alarms and replacebatteries regularly.
• Ontario law requires carbon monoxide alarms adjacent to each sleepingarea if your home is equipped with a fuel burning appliance and attachedgarage. Test alarms and replace batteries regularly.
• Unattended cooking is the #1 cause of home fires. Stay in the kitchen andlook while you cook.
• Develop a home fire escape plan and practice it with the entire family.

For more information about fire safety and home escape planning, visit the Fire Department's Public Education webpage.