NWT Observes Test Your Smoke Alarm Day on September 28

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) and the Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) are encouraging all Northwest Territories (NWT) residents to regularly test their smoke alarms and participate in "Test Your Smoke Alarm Day" on September 28, 2024.

This Ontario-led initiative now forms part of a broader national campaign supported by the Council of Canadian Fire Marshals and Fire Commissioners to raise awareness of the importance of working smoke alarms in homes across the country.

Available data from 2015-2021 (Statistics Canada) shows that only 37% of homes affected by fire had a working smoke alarm. Meanwhile nearly three out of four fire fatalities occurred in homes where a working smoke alarm was either not present or confirmed.

The OFM is asking all NWT residents to test their smoke alarms on September 28, 2024 by simply pressing the button to make sure you HEAR THE BEEP. Smoke alarms are readily available, inexpensive, and one of the most important ways to alert your family and get out safely in the event of a fire.

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“Smoke alarms save lives. Every home in the Northwest Territories should have working smoke alarms installed. As part of “Test Your Smoke Alarm Day” on September 28, 2024, I encourage all NWT residents to take a few seconds to test their smoke alarms, ensure they are working and not expired, and practice your home fire escape plan.”

-Craig Halifax, NWT Fire Marshal

Quick Facts

Working smoke alarms save lives.
Working smoke alarms are an important part of your home fire escape plan.
Smoke alarms are required on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas. For added protection (and in new residential developments), install smoke alarms in each sleeping room as required in the 2020 National Building Code.
Smoke alarms should be tested monthly with batteries changed at least once a year.
Smoke alarms with non-replaceable (long-life) batteries are designed to remain effective for up to 10 years.
All smoke alarms should be replaced after 10 years of service.

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