St. Marys Fire Department shares alarming smoke and carbon monoxide non-compliance rates

A family having a fire and losing everything (sometimes with fatal outcomes) is a weekly occurrence in Ontario. In more than half of these instances, smoke alarms were either not present or not working as intended. Why, even after decades of smoke alarms being mandatory, are these tragic consequences still the norm?

Since 2009, approximately 1,000 people in Ontario have died in fires. In comparison, that is equivalent to the Town of St. Marys losing 14% of its population, including the lives of mothers, fathers, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles and other loved ones. In 2020 alone, Ontario experienced 114 fatalities.

 “I have been in the fire service for 32 years.” says Brian Leverton, Chief Fire Prevention Officer for St. Marys Fire Department. “I’ve had the unfortunate situation of being in fires where smoke alarms were not present and people have perished. In 1992, a five year old girl happened to be one of them. Not only will that family never recover, the firefighters who desperately tried to save her will also have lifelong psychological scars.” This is just one story that could have had a much happier ending through the simple act of installing and maintaining a working smoke alarm.

Smoke alarms became mandatory in 1975, followed by carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in 2014, but surprisingly, Ontario’s non-compliance rate is still over 50%. Many residents continue to be unaware of this law and are not in compliance with the regulations. Non-compliance can lead to a charge, or even a deadly situation. The most common reasons for a charge include:

• No smoke alarms or CO alarms
• Smoke alarms or CO alarms in the wrong location
• Smoke alarms or CO alarms without working batteries

Charges range from $360 up to $50,000 for individuals, and up to $100,000 for corporations. $50,000 is the equivalent to an average monthly rent payment for 4 years, or an entire annual salary. The attitude of ‘it will not happen to me and everything is going to work out’ is simply not reality and must be changed.

Ask yourself the following right now:

• Have I changed the batteries in the last year? If not change them and continue this annually.
• Are my alarms in the right location? If you are unsure, contact your fire department and they will make a site visit at no cost.
• How old are my alarms? Smoke alarms have a ten year life expectancy and CO detectors are five to seven years. Combination alarms with lithium battery have a ten year life expectancy.

Historically, fire departments have not enforced a zero tolerance approach for smoke alarms. If non-compliance rates continue to increase, fire departments are considering changing this and every infraction would result in a charge. “Our number one goal is to prevent lives lost due to fires, not to charge our residents. However if the public does not start adhering to these laws, fewer warnings and more charges may be laid. It is a simple and invaluable act to ensure your smoke and CO alarms are in compliance.” says St. Marys Fire Chief Richard “Andy” Anderson. For more information on ensuring you are in compliance, visit townofstmarys.com/firesafety.

If you have any questions or want more information on fire safety and prevention, visit townofstmarys.com/fire or call the St Marys Fire Department at 519-284-1752.

Let us make 2021 the year that we can make changes for the better. Stop what you are doing right now, get up and go check your alarms.

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Contact: 

Beverly Brenneman, Corporate Communications Manager
519-284-2340, ext. 432 | bbrenneman@town.stmarys.on.ca