Help stop fire fatalities with ‘Saved by the Beep’ smoke alarm test day in Brampton

Brampton firefighters are dancing their way into a new campaign to help save lives and raise awareness about smoke alarm safety as fire fatalities are on the rise across Ontario.

The public safety campaign is called ‘Saved by the Beep’ and is part of Ontario’s first-ever Test Your Smoke Alarm Day happening September 28, led by the Office of the Fire Marshal.

Throughout September, the City of Brampton and Brampton Fire and Emergency Services (BFES) will be sharing information on social media and host an in-person event to discuss the importance of fire safety in the home and share safety tips so residents are prepared if a fire breaks out.

BFES is hosting the Coffee with a Firefighter event on Sept. 22 at the McDonald’s restaurant at 160 Sandalwood Pkwy. East to educate the public on the importance of working smoke alarms and fire safety, and a meet-and-greet with Sparky the fire dog

The service is also challenging residents to a social media dance-off with the Saved by the Beep challenge, inviting residents to film themselves dancing and checking their smoke detectors.

“They’ve come up with a dance that is easy for all ages and abilities. To help spread awareness for smoke alarm safety, share your video on social and use #SavedByTheBeep to show how you test the beep,” the city said in a release.

You can check out the dance​ below or on the city’s Instagram page.

 

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BFES firefighters have also been going door-to-door as part of the Home Safe Home Program, educating the public on the importance of having working smoke detectors.

But of the more than 4,000 homes visited so far this year, BFES has done more than 450 smoke and CO alarm inspections and installations found more than 25 per cent of homes had no working smoke detectors.

2022 set a record for fire fatalities in Ontario, with Fire Marshal Jon Pegg calling it ‘a terrifying trend following the death of a Brampton mother and her 3-year-old child following a house fire on June 2 where no working smoke detectors on the first floor or the basement level where the family resided.

Here are five tips from BFES to make sure your smoke alarms are in working order, and could help save a life:

• Replace batteries regularly. Change your batteries when you change your clocks in the spring and fall.
• If you think your smoke alarm is more than 10 years old, replace it. Smoke alarms don’t last forever. Check the manufacturer’s date to find out when they expire.
• Clean your smoke alarms regularly. Excessive dust can affect the alarm. Vacuum all alarms every six months and test your alarms when finished.
• Plan your escape. Make sure that everyone in your household is aware of the alarms, their sound and what to do next. Create an escape plan and practise it with the entire household.
• Renting a property? Have a conversation with your landlord about fire safety and your responsibilities.

For information on the BFES Home Safe Home program and more fire safety tips click here.