Test Your Smoke Alarm Day on September 28, 2023

The Huntsville/Lake of Bays Fire Department urges residents to test their smoke alarms on or before Thursday, September 28th, 2023, which marks the first Test Your Smoke Alarm Day in Ontario. This simple action requires less than 5 seconds and can be instrumental in saving lives during a fire incident.

In 2022 Ontario witnessed 133 fire fatalities, the highest recorded in 20 years. "In construction, we are using a greater number of engineered products to build more cost-effective houses," said Public Education and Fire Prevention Officer Steve Markham of the Huntsville/Lake of Bays Fire Department. "However, the unfortunate part is that they burn a lot quicker. People often think they have a lot more time to get out of their homes in case of a fire, but they actually have less than five minutes."

The Huntsville/Lake of Bays Fire Department is also offering judgment-free assessments of the alarms in your home and, in some instances, can offer and install new ones at no cost. Residents are encouraged to contact the fire department for assistance at 705-789-5201.