Be armed with fire and CO defence: Cambridge Fire Chief encourages residents to check household alarms
Cambridge, Ontario. (October 28, 2021) – Cambridge Fire is reminding residents to test, check expiry dates and replace batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms as part of Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week, November 1-7.
“Smoke and CO alarms can only keep your family safe when working properly,” says Cambridge Fire Chief Brian Arnold. “We are asking every household to take the time to check and change batteries in all alarms. This simple task will ensure the best outcome for you and your loved ones in the case of a fire or CO leak.”
CO is an invisible, tasteless and odourless gas that can cause flu symptoms and even be fatal. With autumn forcing fireplaces and furnaces to be turned back on, prevent CO in the home by getting all fuel-burning appliances inspected. Fuel-burning appliances can include furnaces, hot water heaters, gas or wood fireplaces, portable fuel-burning heaters and generators, barbeques, stoves and vehicles.
Sunday, November 7 at 2 a.m., Daylight Savings Time will require clocks to be changed back one hour. Cambridge Fire is encouraging residents to use this as an opportunity to also check and change alarm batteries.
Quick facts
- In 2020, Cambridge Fire responded to 55 residential fires and 52 CO calls. Of the 52 CO calls, 48% were at night, while residents were sleeping.
- In Ontario, more than 65% of injuries and deaths from CO occur in the home.
- It’s the law to have working smoke and CO alarms on every floor of the home and outside all sleeping areas.
- Tampering with or dismantling your smoke and CO alarms is against the law.
- Landlords must also comply with the same law as homeowners, installing and maintaining smoke and CO alarms for their tenants.
Additional resources
- For more information visit the Cambridge Fire Department’s Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Alarms page
- Find a registered contractor to inspect fuel-burning appliances at COSafety.ca
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Primary Media Contact
Rachel Ajamzadeh
Communications Advisor
City of Cambridge
ajamzadehr@cambridge.ca
For more information about the City and its services, visit www.cambridge.ca. For accessibility accommodations, please contact accessibility@cambridge.ca. To opt out of the news release distribution, email corpcomm@cambridge.ca.