Firefighters in Ontario town going door-to-door to spread the message about fire safety

Whitby firefighters will be knocking on thousands of doors this summer to deliver the message about the importance of working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

The door-to-door campaign is part of Whitby Fire and Emergency Services’ annual EverAlert program, which reminds residents that the alarms are “essential” to saving lives and reducing the risk of fire-related injuries and fatalities.

“The EverAlert Smoke Alarm program is a vital fire prevention and public education program in our approach to community safety, ensuring that residents have reliable protection in the event of a fire,” said interim Fire Chief Mark Pankhurst. “By enhancing early detection and providing proactive education for maintenance and installation of smoke alarms, this program not only helps prevent potential tragedies but also supports our broader goal of reducing fire risk across Whitby.”

“It reflects our commitment to innovative, prevention and public education-focused solutions that protect lives, strengthen community resilience, and support our firefighters by reducing preventable emergency incidents.”

In addition to distributing safety tips, firefighters will urge residents to follow key fire safety practices:

• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms every month using the designated ‘test’ button
• Change alarm batteries annually or whenever the low battery warning sounds
• Install alarms according to manufacturer instructions: place smoke alarms on the ceiling of each home level and outside each sleeping area; position carbon monoxide alarms outside sleeping areas
• Replace alarms as specified by the manufacturer: smoke alarms, whether battery operated or hardwired, should be replaced after 10 years; carbon monoxide alarms are effective for either seven or 10 years
• Develop and practice a well-defined home fire escape plan, ensuring that everyone who lives in the home is aware of the appropriate actions to take upon hearing any alarm

For more information about smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and fire safety tips, visit whitby.ca/FireSafety or follow Whitby Fire on Facebook @TownofWhitby.