Fire Chief Rick Richardson says many local homes still are not equipped with working smoke alarms, despite his personal plea three weeks ago for improved safety.
Richardson said fire fighters discovered about 20% of the local homes inspected had no smoke alarms or an insufficient number of alarms in them.
The inspections were part of the fire department’s Home Safe Home program, which is an initiative from the Ontario Fire Marshall’s Office to ensure every home in the province has working smoke alarms and to offer fire safety and prevention tips.
“It’s not getting any better,” Richardson told council last week.
He said in the weeks since, the department conducted a number of inspections, and many homes are still not in compliance with the Ontario Fire Code enacted in 2005.
The law requires a working smoke alarm on each level of the home, including the basement.
Non-compliance can result in a $235 fine, although Richardson has stated the goal remains compliance and improved safety, and not the prosecution of offenders.
