A recent fatal fire in Southern Ontario has local fire fighters reminding people about fire safety.
A Good Friday fire in East Gwillimbury killed four family members. An investigation showed that the family home did not have a working smoke detector on the main floor. Thunder Bay Fire Rescue education officer Anthony Stokaluk said it’s the law for a home to have a working detector on every floor and outside of sleeping areas.
Alarms should be checked every month. Batteries should be replaced every year and, if the detector is hard-wired, an electrician should be called if the alarm isn’t working.
“Any smoke alarm that is older than 10 years must be replaced,” Stokaluk said.
Just as important as working alarms is a family fire escape plan. A member of the family should be in charge of young children or older adults. Everyone should have two exits and those should be unobstructed. Once outside, families should have a designated meeting place. They should also have a way to call 911 but never from inside the house.
“Go over it so that everyone knows what to do in the event of an emergency,” he said. “Once you’re out stay out.”
