'Not getting the message': Fire Marshal urges Ontario residents to practice better fire safety
Ontario’s fire marshal is pleading with residents of the province to do more to prevent fires in their homes after a deadly start to the year.
In a message posted to Twitter on Friday, Ontario Fire Marshal Jon Pegg said the province has already lost 17 people in fires so far this year and people "are not getting the message" about fire safety.
“These deaths are preventable. We've lost mothers, fathers, grandparents and children,” Pegg said.
Some of those deadly fires have occurred in the Greater Toronto Area, with a recent fire in Brampton claiming the lives of three young boys. The cause of that fire has not yet been determined, but fire officials urged the public to redouble their efforts around fire safety in its wake.
Speaking Friday, Pegg said the message is not reaching enough people.
“Allow me to be very candid and blunt; This is not difficult, folks,” he said. “I know that smoke alarms can be a nuisance when you're cooking. I know that changing batteries may not be top of mind, but it has to be.
“I know that pushing a button to test each month is quickly forgotten, but it's the only thing you can do to protect you and your family. And quite frankly, and to be very direct, I don't think Ontarians are getting the message and I need everyone's help.
He urged people to take simple steps such as checking regularly that smoke alarms are in proper working order and have fresh batteries, and having a fire plan for each household.
“Smoke alarms 100 per cent save lives. I can tell you countless stories where this is true. But they only do so if they are working,” Pegg said. “And not only that, it's a law. You also need to practice a home fire escape plan before a fire. When the alarm sounds, everyone needs to know what to do safely.”
The fire marshal urged people to share his message and help it "go viral."
“Kids, if you are seeing this, ask your parents to test the smoke alarm in your house. And if they don't have one, ask why,” Pegg said.
“Check on your neighbours and those of your family who need help testing their alarms, and if you have questions addressing a smoke alarm issue, reach out to your local fire department.”
A full list of fire safety tips from the fire marshal can be found on the province’s website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
U.S. paused bomb shipment to Israel to signal concerns over Rafah invasion, official says
The U.S. paused a shipment of bombs to Israel last week over concerns that Israel was approaching a decision on launching a full-scale assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah against the wishes of the U.S.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.