New fire station display a reminder to check smoke alarms for ‘Saved by the Beep’ campaign in Brampton

A fire station in Brampton has a new look reminding residents to make sure their smoke alarms and detectors are in working order for Test Your Smoke Alarm Day.

Brampton Fire and Emergency Services (BFES) unveiled the new door wraps at Station 201 this week ahead of a public safety campaign called ‘Saved by the Beep.’ It’s all part of Ontario’s first-ever Test Your Smoke Alarm Day happening on Thursday (Sept. 28) led by the Office of the Fire Marshal, and the campaign.

Throughout September, the City of Brampton and BFES has been sharing important fire safety tips on social media and in-person events to drive home the importance of having working smoke detectors in the home so residents are prepared if a fire breaks out.

All Ontarians are being encouraged to test their smoke alarms on Thursday and learn more about fire safety and home fire escape planning, which can save lives in the event of a fire.

“Being prepared to act in the event of a fire can start with simply pressing the test button and having the confidence that a working smoke alarm is in your home,” the Office of the Fire Marshal said in a release. “Lives will be saved by regularly testing smoke alarms at least once a month, refreshing batteries at least once a year, and replacing smoke alarms older than 10 years.”

Photo: Brampton Fire and Emergency Services

Photo: Brampton Fire and Emergency Services

Last year set a record for fire fatalities in Ontario, with 133 people killed in fires. Fire Marshal Jon Pegg called the lack of working smoke detectors in homes ‘a terrifying trend’ after a Brampton mother and her 3-year-old child died following a house fire on June 2.

No working smoke detectors on the first floor or the basement level where the family resided, the fire marshal said.

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.

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.

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.

Drive, walk, or cycle pass Station 210 to check out our new bay door wraps! We encourage all Bramptonians to test their alarms on September 28, the first ever Test Your Smoke Alarm Day in Ontario. Make fire safety a priority. #SavedByTheBeep @ONFireMarshal @CityBrampton ^TH pic.twitter.com/XyjZe1IoxH

— Brampton Fire & Emergency Services (@BramptonFireES) September 26, 2023