St. Marys Fire Department reminds residents to Test Your Smoke Alarm on September 28

By Town of St. Marys - Sep 28, 2026

Media Releases

The Town of St. Marys is proud to support Ontario's Test Your Smoke Alarm Day on September 28. This annual initiative serves as an important reminder of the critical role working smoke alarms play in saving lives and highlights the importance of home fire safety awareness and escape planning.

Ontario continues to experience an alarming number of residential fire fatalities. In 2025, the province recorded 127 fire-related deaths resulting from 112 fatal fires. Many of these tragedies may have been prevented if a working smoke alarm had been present. To date, Ontario has recorded 77 fire fatalities in 2026.

"Smoke alarms don't last forever," says Fire Chief Phil West. "Like any safety device, they wear out over time and need to be replaced. Test your fire alarm and check for yellowing or a manufacture date that’s over 10 years old, if either of these are the case replace them immediately. Taking a few seconds to test your smoke alarms can make all the difference in an emergency."

This year's Saved by the Beep campaign reminds residents that working smoke alarms save lives and that a quick test of your alarms today could help protect your family tomorrow.

The St. Marys Fire Department encourages residents to remember the following:

Test smoke alarms at least once a month. If they are not working, replace the batteries or install a new alarm.
Whether your smoke alarm is battery-powered or hardwired, you can test it by pressing the test button. The alarm should sound loudly.
Change smoke alarm batteries at least once a year or whenever the low-battery warning sounds.
Ontario law requires working smoke alarms on every storey of a home and outside all sleeping areas. Failure to comply with smoke alarm legislation may result in a fine.
If you need assistance or advice about smoke alarms, contact the St. Marys Fire Department.

To learn more about smoke alarm safety and how to protect your family, visit the Saved by the Beep campaign website at savedbythebeep.ca.

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For media inquiries:
Phil West, Director of Emergency Services/Fire Chief
519-284-2340, ext. 201 | pwest@town.stmarys.on.ca