Saved By The Beep

Test the beep. Practice the plan.

Pair your smoke alarm test with a quick family fire escape chat so everyone knows what to do when the beep sounds for real.

On September 28, press the test button, let your kids hear the sound, and practice your way out together.
 www.SavedByTheBeep.ca 

#SavedByTheBeep  #FireSafetyMatters #FamilyFireSafety

🔑 First apartment. First condo. First house.
You remembered the couch, the TV, and the Wi-Fi password.

Now check a few things that could actually save your life:
✅ Talk to your landlord or building superintendent about testing your alarms
✅ Keep exits clear of clutter
✅ Smoke alarms outside all sleeping areas and on every storey and know 2 ways out of every room
✅ Have your landlord replace the batteries in your smoke alarms every year

Living on your own means looking out for yourself. 

Grab your fire safety move-in checklist 🔥 www.savedbythebeep.ca 

Smoke Alarms for Everyone (S.A.F.E) Program

A working smoke alarm is a basic, fundamental requirement for home fire safety, and it’s the Law.

Effective March 1, 2006, it is the law for all Ontario homes to have a working smoke alarm on every story and outside all sleeping areas. This covers single family, semi-detached and town homes, whether owned-occupied or rented. We are most vulnerable to fire when we sleep, most fatal fires occur at night when people are sleeping. A working smoke alarm will detect smoke and sound to alert you. A working smoke alarm provides the protection required.

The objectives of the S.A.F.E program is to talk to the community and educate them about the importance of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their homes; regular maintenance of these alarms; as well as; home escape planning and being prepared for emergencies.

The S.A.F.E Program (Smoke Alarm for Everyone) is a residential smoke alarm installation program run within the Township of Minden Hills (MHFD). The goal is to supply and install a smoke alarm in owner-occupied households not equipped with a working smoke alarm/Carbon Monoxide Alarms. We will also discuss fire safety and educate residents to be prepared for possible emergencies. If a homeowner does not have the resources to supply and install their own smoke alarm for any reason, they are free to apply to have one provided by the program.

Ontario Fire departments responded to several residential structure fires in 2023 as result 101 fire-related deaths were recorded in Ontario in 2023 according to the fire marshal's office.

The S.A.F.E Program is a free service to allow firefighters into your residence for a voluntary fire inspection to ensure safety of you and your family. Complete the form in the link below if you would like to participate in the S.A.F.E Program.

Form to Participate in the S.A.F.E Program

Carbon Monoxide (CO) Safety

Carbon monoxide is known as the "silent killer" because it is an invisible, odourless and tasteless gas that can be deadly. A working carbon monoxide alarm is the only way to detect the presence of dangerous levels of CO in your home.

The Ontario Fire Code is evolving. As of January 1, 2026, a series of amendments introduced under O. Reg. 87/25 came into effect, bringing both harmonization with national codes and Ontario-specific updates.

What's New? The new Fire Code requirements effective January 1, 2026, expand CO alarm installation in:

• • Existing Homes: Alarms will now be required on every storey, not just near sleeping areas.
  • Multi-Unit Residential Buildings: CO alarms must be installed in all suites meeting certain conditions, service rooms, and, in some cases, public corridors.
  • Care Occupancies: This includes residential care facilities and certain group homes, where CO Alarms will be required in suites and common areas.

Fire Prevention Week

Since 1922 fire departments have promoted Fire Prevention Week with the goal of providing awareness on how to stay safe in case of a fire. Fire Prevention Week commemorates the Great Chicago Fire (October 8 to 10, 1871). The fire caused devastating damage, killing approximately 300 people, and leaving more than 100,000 people homeless. It also destroyed more than 17,000 structures, and destroyed over 2,000 acres of land.

October 4 - 10, 2026, is Fire Prevention Week (FPW), and this year's theme "Safe Charging is a Superpower," focuses on rechargeable battery fire safety and the everyday actions people and organizations can take to prevent fires before they start.

For this year's FPW campaign, the Minden Hills Fire Department, is participating in the province-wide Fire Safety Community Champion program, in which fire departments across Ontario are highlighting organizations and individuals that have contributed to fire safety in their community.

The Minden Hills Fire Department will be identifying and celebrating a resident, group, organization, or business in the Township of Minden Hills that demonstrates fire safe behaviours related to rechargeable battery safety through behaviours such as:

• • purchasing and using certified lithium-ion products;
  • using certified lithium-ion batteries; 
  • using certified devices in accordance with manufacturers' instructions to safely charge lithium-ion batteries;
  • practicing safe disposal of end-of-life batteries'
  • avoiding overcharging or leaving batteries charging unattended;
  • educating employees, customers, students, or community members about rechargeable battery fire safety; and
  • promoting rechargeable battery fire safety through workplace policies, community outreach, or educational initiatives.

If your organization, or an individual within your organization, has helped promote rechargeable battery fire safety, adopted safe charging practices, or taken action to reduce the risk of battery fires, we invite you to share your story with Minden Hills Fire Department. A selected champion will be recognized during Fire Prevention Week as the Township of Minden Hills's Fire Safety Community Champion, helping inspire others through real-life examples of fire-safe action.

To share your story or learn more about the program, please contact the Minden Hills Fire Department at admin@mindenhills.ca.

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Fire Drills and Safety Plans

Fire Drills and Fire Safety Plans are excellent tools to practice fire safety and help you to be prepared in an emergency.

Please contact our department for assistance with fire drills or for more information on fire safety plans.

Home Fire Escape Planning

Know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Sit down with everyone in your household and discuss how each person will get out of the home in a fire. Develop your home fire escape plan today.

Make sure everyone can get out quickly.

If the door of a room is blocked by smoke or fire, discuss an alternate escape route such as a window. Make sure all windows open easily. Security bars on windows should have quick-releasing devices so they can be easily removed.

Determine who will be responsible for helping young children, older adults, people with disabilities or anyone else who may need assistance.

Most fire deaths are the result of smoke inhalation.

A tree, street light or a neighbour's home are all good choices. In case of fire, everyone should go directly to this meeting place to be accounted for.

Never re-enter a burning building. Once you have safely escaped, call the fire department from outside your home using a cell phone or from a neighbour's home.