Firefighters conducting annual smoke detector, CO alarm checks

To The Haldimand Press

HALDIMAND—Over the next few months, Haldimand County’s volunteer firefighters will be out in the community conducting carbon monoxide detector and smoke alarm checks. The annual program aims to educate residents about the importance of having working alarms and provide assistance with installation and/or battery replacement.

The annual inspections are one of many public education initiatives in the County’s Fire Prevention program, which is mandatory under the Province’s Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997. In 2018, the Fire Department inspected 542 homes and installed 42 smoke alarms, 58 carbon monoxide detectors, and 24 batteries.

“People are very receptive to us coming to their door,” said Jason Gallagher, Haldimand County’s Manager of Emergency Services & Fire Chief. “Some of them are actually surprised when we tell them their equipment needs to be updated. It’s just not top of mind, and it really has to be.”

As per the Ontario Building Code, smoke alarms must be installed on every floor of a dwelling and outside all sleeping areas within a home.

CO detectors need to be adjacent to sleeping areas as well as fuel burning appliances in the home or an attached garage.