Teams of fire inspectors are canvassing neighbourhoods in northeast Scarborough to check for working smoke alarms as part of a public education program about fire safety.
The Project Zero campaign aims to bring the number of deaths in the city from residential fires down to zero by ensuring Torontonians have working smoke alarms to protect them.
So far this year, 10 people in Toronto have died as a result of fires.
Capt. Ian MacPherson of Toronto Fire Services said that most homes don't have adequate fire safety protection equipment.
"We're finding that 67 per cent of homes are in a deficit position," MacPherson said. "They don't have the proper number of smoke alarms, working smoke alarms or carbon monoxide alarms. And that's unacceptable at this stage."
Fire inspectors will visit residents in northeast Scarborough for about a month. They are offering to install alarms in homes without working ones for about $10. Otherwise, homeowners will have 24 hours to install alarms or they will face fines, CTV's Janice Golding reported.
Homeowners visited Tuesday by fire inspectors appreciated the campaign.
"I'm concerned because when I'm not home, if the kids do something, play with matches or anything, that's scary if I don't have the smoke alarm," Annie Ramkirath said.
Gudren Oschel said the inspections are a good idea to stress the importance of having working smoke alarms.
"I think it's very good because some people don't worry about it," she said.
This is the third time Toronto Fire has launched a Project Zero campaign since last year. The campaigns are pilot projects in specific neighbourhoods to determine the feasibility of rolling out alarm inspections across the city.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Janice Golding
