Join the Don’t Wait, Check the Date Selfie Challenge!

HAMILTON, ON – October 5, 2016 – Fire Prevention Week is October 9-15, 2016. The Hamilton Fire Department wants you to join the Don’t Wait, Check the Date! selfie challenge.

“The theme of Fire Prevention Week this year is Don’t Wait, Check the Date of your smoke alarms,” says Fire Chief David Cunliffe “Smoke alarms don’t last forever. So we challenge everyone to take a selfie of their family checking the expiry date of their smoke alarms and post it on social media, to show everyone your alarm’s up to date.”

Smoke alarms wear out over time and need to be replaced within the time frame indicated by the manufacturer, usually 10 years. The date of manufacture is indicated on the back of the smoke alarm and the expiry date is taken from that date. While smoke alarms typically last 10 years, some have different expiry time frames. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for the expiry time frame of your smoke alarms. When replacing interconnected smoke alarms, it is advisable to replace all units in the system at the same time. If a single malfunctioning alarm needs to be replaced, make sure the new alarm is compatible with the existing units.

Fire Prevention Week's Annual Open House

Date: Monday, October 10, 2016
Time: 10 am to 4 pm
Location: All stations
Citizens will have an opportunity to speak to fire-fighters about fire safety.
Please bring a non-perishable food donation for our community food banks.

The Hamilton Fire Department will be holding a number of events throughout the week to raise public awareness about Fire Prevention Week and the importance of smoke alarms.  Our Department through the utilization of our Fire Safety Trailer will be delivering this theme in the form of a Fire Safety Caravan where selected elementary schools throughout the City Of Hamilton will be visited and children will be taught not only the importance of working smoke alarms but also general home fire safety which includes preparing, implementing and practicing a home fire escape plan. To further enforce this valuable lesson, the children at the schools will participate in a simulated emergency within the Fire Safety Trailer and practice their home fire escape plan.

For more information on fire safety, contact our Fire Prevention Division at 905 546-2424 Ext.1380, weekdays between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm or visit www.hamilton.ca/fire follow us on twitter @hamiltonfiredep