Ottawa Fire Services visiting homes to ensure fire code safety
Posted Sep 12, 2022 04:00:00 PM.
Ottawa Fire Services (OFS) will be knocking on doors this week to ensure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are present and working.
According to an OFS press release, they'll be visiting homes across Ottawa from Sept. 12 to 19 as part of their Wake Up campaign that ensures homes meet Ontario Fire Code, which requires a working smoke alarm on each floor and outside each sleeping area.
“Carbon monoxide alarms are also required outside sleeping areas if the home has an attached garage, a wood stove or a fuel-fired appliance,” the release states.
Firefighters will ask to inspect alarms and provide information on fire safety and home escape planning. Homeowners who do not have working smoke alarms may have one installed, or OFS will provide new, free batteries.
Visits will occur between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. on weekdays and between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m on weekends. Firefighters will be in uniform, and residents are not obligated to provide access to their homes as it's a courtesy call only.
Firefighters will only visit select areas and will leave fire safety information in the mailbox if no one is home.
“Firefighters have been visiting homes every spring and fall since the Wake Up program began in 2005, except when public health guidelines for the COVID-19 pandemic prevented it,” the release said.
To learn what is involved in a firefighter home visit, watch the Wake Up video. Visit ottawa.ca/fire for more information on smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
