Chatham-Kent Fire and Rescue is teaming up with fire officials across the province to remind residents to ensure they have working smoke alarms in their home.
Today is “Saved by the Beep” day, an initiative spearheaded by the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office.
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 alarms.
“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.”
Local fire officials are also gearing up for their CHiRP Day in CK, being held October 21st, during which crews will be visiting area residents to talk about fire safety and check the alarms in their homes.
Last year CKFR visited over 750 homes and installed hundreds of alarms during CHiRP Day in CK.