Test your smoke alarms on September 28

September 28 is Test Your Smoke Alarm Day, a province-wide reminder to make sure every smoke alarm in your home is ready to protect you. A working smoke alarm can provide the early warning you and your household need to escape a fire safely.

On September 28, the Cambridge Fire Department is asking you to take a few minutes to confirm:

• there is a working smoke alarm on every level of your home, and outside all sleeping areas at minimum (additional alarms may be required based on the year your home was built)
• each alarm sounds when you press and hold its test button
• batteries are replaced at least once a year and whenever a low-battery alert sounds
• alarms are replaced when they are 10 years old, even if they still appear to work
• hardwired and smart alarms are tested and maintained regularly

Smoke alarms should be tested every month. Households should also practice a home fire escape plan twice a year.

Test Your Smoke Alarm Day was launched in 2023 after Ontario recorded 133 fire deaths in 2022, the highest number in 20 years. In many fatal fires investigators found there were no working smoke alarms. 

To learn more about fire safety, visit cambridge.ca/FireSafety