With the clocks moving back one hour this weekend, Sarnia Fire Rescue is taking the opportunity to make sure everyone has working smoke alarms.
The change will take effect at 2 a.m. Sunday, November 3.
We're being encouraged to change the batteries in our devices to ensure they're in proper working condition, and replace the units if they're over 10 years old.
Fire Life Safety Educator Mike Otis said it's also a good idea to have an escape plan in case of emergencies.
"Know what everybody is going to do," said Otis. "For example, what parent is grabbing who if they have small children, and who is helping who if they need extra assistance to get out of the home. Make sure you have a safe meeting place outside the home to call 911."
Otis said it's the law for all Ontario homes, cottages, cabins and seasonal homes to have working smoke alarms on every storey and outside all sleeping areas.
Homes that contain a fuel-burning appliance or attached garage are also required to have working carbon monoxide alarms adjacent to all sleeping areas.
Fines for tampering with or removing smoke alarm batteries can be as high as $50,000.
Ontario's 133 fire-related deaths in 2022 were the highest in more than 20 years.
The province passed Bill 214, known as the Time Amendment Act, in 2020.
The bill would make daylight saving time the standard time year-round, but would only come into effect if New York and Quebec also make the switch.
