Fire Prevention Week

Join the Don’t Wait, Check the Date Selfie Challenge!

Fire Prevention Week is October 9 to 15, 2016 and the Town of St. Marys Fire Department wants you to join the Don’t Wait, Check the Date! Selfie challenge.

“The theme of Fire Prevention Week this year is Don’t Wait, Check the Date of your smoke alarms,” says Fire Chief Richard Anderson. “Smoke alarms don’t last forever. So we challenge everyone to take a selfie of their family checking the expiry date of their smoke alarms and post it on social media, to show everyone your alarm’s up to date.”

Smoke alarms wear out over time and need to be replaced within the time frame indicated by the manufacturer. The date of manufacture is found on the back of the smoke alarm and the expiry date is taken from that date. While smoke alarms typically last 10 years, some have different expiry time frames. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for the expiry time frame of your smoke alarms.

The Town of St. Marys Fire Department also reminds you that smoke alarms are required on every storey of your home and outside all sleeping areas. Test all of your smoke alarms monthly by pushing the test button on the alarm and replace batteries at least once a year or when the alarm’s low battery signal begins to chirp.

The Fire Department is hosting an Open House on Wednesday, October 12 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Fire Hall (172 James Street South). The event will include information for residents about fire prevention, a live auto extrication demonstration at 7:00 p.m. and door prizes.

The Fire Chief will also be attending Information Booths at Canadian Tire on Tuesday, October 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and at Sam’s Home Hardware on Thursday, October 13 during the same time.

For more information about smoke alarms, visit www.townofstmarys.com/smokealarms or the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management’s website at http://www.ontario.ca/firemarshal.

-30-

Contact

Richard Anderson | Fire Chief/CEMC
519-284-2340, ext. 201 | randerson@town.stmarys.on.ca

Stacey Wheal | Corporate Communications Specialist

519-284-2340, ext. 429 | swheal@town.stmarys.on.ca