Here’s How Burlington Firefighters are Working to Keep Homes in the City Safe

Published June 24, 2019 at 8:22 pm

The Burlington Fire Department is actively working to keep homes within the city safe.

The Burlington Fire Department is actively working to keep homes within the city safe. And, according to a press release from the city, the fire department recently created a new program that will help them do so.

The newly announced program is called ‘The Steps to Safety Home Visit Program’. And as part of the program, as its name suggests, firefighters will be visiting homes across Burlington during the summer and fall to educate residents about how they can stay safe at home.

In addition, part of the visit, as noted in the release, will include a voluntary in-home safety assessment to ensure Burlington homes are protected by working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.

Every home in Ontario is required to have a smoke alarm on every level and outside all sleeping areas, a carbon monoxide alarm next to all sleeping areas in any home with a fuel-burning appliance (i.e. natural gas, oil burning furnace, water heater, etc.) and/or an attached garage.

“Be aware that smoke alarms and CO alarms expire after 10 years, regardless of power supply,” reads the release. “To check how old an alarm is, check the side or back of the unit for an expiry date or date of manufacture.”

The release went on to outline a few ways residents can stay safe.

“We want you and your loved ones to have the right information to prevent and prepare for an emergency,” Burlington Fire Chief Dave Lazenby said in a statement. “Having an escape plan is an important step to ensure you and/or your loved ones’ safety. Having working alarms, two ways out of every room and a safe meeting place outside.”

Residents are encouraged to participate in the program so they can ensure their homes are protected by working equipment, to meet local firefighters and ask questions, and learn how to stop fires from happening, and what to do if an emergency occurs.

For more information about the Steps to Safety click here.

Oakville Fire recently announced a similar campaign.

Photo is courtesy of the Burlington Fire Department’s Facebook page.

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