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Smoke alarm campaign launched in Sudbury

Ontario's deputy fire marshal and Greater Sudbury Fire Services launched a new smoke alarm campaign today called Working Smoke Alarms: It?s the Law! to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities related to fire in Sudbury.

Ontario's deputy fire marshal and Greater Sudbury Fire Services launched a new smoke alarm campaign today called Working Smoke Alarms: It?s the Law! to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities related to fire in Sudbury.

The campaign is based on a recent amendment to Ontario's fire code that requires homes to have a working smoke alarm on every level. This is in addition to the existing requirement of having smoke alarms outside all sleeping areas.

In addition to its focus on the fire code amendment, the new campaign will work to heighten awareness about the importance of working smoke alarms and educate the public about smoke alarm technology, installation and maintenance.

Traditionally over the holiday season there is a sharp increase in the number of fires, injuries and deaths. Last year in Ontario, 35 people lost their lives to preventable home fires between Nov. 1, 2004 and Jan. 31, 2005.

?This campaign will make Sudbury a safer community in which to live,? said fire chief Donald Donaldson. ?Home fires can happen at any time to anyone. For this reason, everyone should have working smoke alarms in their homes to protect themselves and their families from fire.?

Municipal fire departments across Ontario have been informed of the new regulation and will be enforcing it. For homeowners, tenants and individual landlords, non compliance with the smoke alarm requirements can result in a ticket for $235 or a fine of up to $25,000.

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