As daylight saving time ends, fire safety begins in Caledon

Clocks will fall back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, November 6 and Town of Caledon Fire and Emergency Services is recommending that residents install new batteries in their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when they change their clocks.

“In order for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to do their job, they need to have working batteries,” explained Acting Fire Chief Darryl Bailey. “Twice a year, old batteries should be replaced with new batteries. When you change your clocks on November 6, Caledon Fire and Emergency Services, wants everyone to take the time to install new batteries in all alarms.”

In order to survive a fire, you need to be provided with an early warning and know what to do when the smoke alarms sound. It’s the law to have working smoke alarms on every storey of the home and outside all sleeping areas. For added protection, it is recommended to also install smoke alarms inside all bedrooms.  

Carbon monoxide alarms must be installed outside all sleeping areas if your home has a fuel-burning appliance, fireplace or attached garage.

Tampering with or removing the batteries from your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms is against the law. Failure to comply with the Fire Code can result in a ticket for $360 or a fine of up to $50,000.

Acting Chief Bailey also emphasized the importance of developing a home escape plan.  You may have less than two minutes to safely escape the toxic gases released from a fire burning in your home.  Make sure everyone knows two ways out of each room and discuss a meeting place.  Download your escape plan at www.caledon.ca

For more information on smoke alarms, contact Caledon Fire and Emergency Services at
905.584.2272 x.4303 or visit www.caledon.ca .

Attachments