Mayor Groves and Fire Chief Dave Forfar challenge Caledon residents to be "Saved by the Beep”

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September 25, 2023 (CALEDON, ON) – Caledon Mayor Annette Groves and Fire Chief Dave Forfar are calling on all residents of Caledon to test their smoke alarms on September 28 as part of Test Your Smoke Alarm Day. Be prepared to be Saved by the Beep with a working smoke alarm – it is your best chance to keep you and your family safe in the event of a fire.

The Town of Caledon is joining communities across Ontario on September 28 by asking everyone to take a minute and to ensure that there are working smoke alarms installed in their home.

Mayor Annette Groves has tested her smoke alarms, and she is challenging the community and her fellow members of Council to do the same:

“Working smoke alarms gives you the time you need to escape a fire. Simply pressing the test button gives you the confidence that a working smoke alarm is in your home, add a home escape plan and lives will be saved,” said Chief Forfar. “Test smoke alarms at least once a month, refreshing batteries at least once a year, replacing smoke alarms older than 10 years and practise your escape plan.”

Caledon Fire and Emergency Services will be engaging the community on fire safety, the importance of ensuring your residence has working smoke alarms, and having a fire escape plan this week at the following locations:

  • St. Evans Separate School – Fire Drill and Assembly Presentation – September 27
  • Belfountain Public School – Fire Drill and Assembly Presentation – September 28
  • Legacy Pines, Palgrave – 6:15 to 6:45 p.m. – September 28
  • Caledon Hills Pub, Palgrave – Fire trivia quiz night with residents – 7 to 8 p.m. – September 28
  • Lina Marino Park in Snelgrove – 6 to 8:30 p.m. – September 28

Last year, Ontario lost 133 people to deadly fires – the highest number in over 20 years. Many of these fires were found to have no working smoke alarm and stand as a reminder that only working smoke alarms will alert you to a fire and give you and your loved ones enough time to safely escape.

“In Ontario, we’ve seen a significant rise in fatal fires and the number of people we have lost in these fires is very concerning,” said Ontario Fire Marshal Jon Pegg. “Entire families have been lost to fire and the most troubling part is that the majority of these fires did not have a working smoke alarm in the home. Had there been working smoke alarms, and a well thought out and practiced home fire escape plan, these deaths may have been prevented.”

The Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM), with the support of fire services and fire safety partners across Ontario, is asking Ontarians to regularly test their smoke alarms with a challenge to test all smoke alarms in their residence on September 28.

For more information visit www.savedbythebeep.ca

Quick Facts:

  • Smoke alarms have been legally required to be installed on every storey of a residence in Ontario since 2006.
  • You cannot replace a hardwired alarm with a battery powered alarm.  You must replace like for like.
  • Residences also include vacation homes, cabins, trailers, RVs, and cottages.
  • Landlords must test alarms annually, after the battery is replaced, and after every change in tenancy. Renters must notify their landlord as soon as they become aware that a smoke alarm is not operating.