THUNDER BAY – Thunder Bay Fire Rescue reminds all campers to protect their families and guests from fire and carbon monoxide this camping season.
“Fire safety is just as important away from your home as it is at your home,” said Fire Chief John Hay. “Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are the early warning systems that give you the valuable time needed to escape tragedy.”
If you are headed out this weekend, please remember that the Northwestern Ontario, and Thunder Bay fire bans are still in effect.
Chief Hay recommends following these steps when opening up camp for the season:
- Prepare and practice a fire escape plan for your camp or cottage.
- Check the age of all smoke alarms and replace smoke alarms over 10-years-old.
- Replace CO alarms as outlined by the manufacturer.
- Install fresh batteries in all alarms, especially those in camps that were closed down for the winter as cold temperatures drain battery power.
- Test smoke and CO alarms each month.
The same Ontario law that requires working smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside all sleeping areas, and carbon monoxide alarms outside all sleeping areas if your home has a fuel fired appliance, fireplace, or attached garage also applies to camps and cottages. “Tragedy can strike quickly if your early warning systems like smoke alarms and CO alarms are not in place or functioning properly,” added Chief Hay.
