Fire Prevention Week is underway until October 15 and the Saugeen Shores Fire Department wants you to join the Don’t Wait, Check the Date! selfie challenge.

“The theme of Fire Prevention Week this year is Don’t Wait, Check the Date of your smoke alarms,” said Fire Prevention Officer Rob Atkinson. “Smoke alarms don’t last forever so we challenge everyone to take a selfie of their family checking the expiry date of their smoke alarms and post it on social media and tag us @SaugeenFire on Twitter or on Facebook - Saugeen Shores Fire Department, to show everyone your alarm’s up to date.”

Smoke alarms wear out over time and need to be replaced within the time frame indicated by the manufacturer, usually 10 years. The date of manufacture is indicated on the back of the smoke alarm and the expiry date is taken from that date. While smoke alarms typically last 10 years, some have different expiry time frames. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for the expiry time frame of your smoke alarms.

The Saugeen Shores Fire Department also reminds you that smoke alarms are required on every storey of your home and outside all sleeping areas. Test all of your smoke alarms monthly by pushing the test button on the alarm, and replace batteries at least once a year or when the alarm’s low battery signal begins to chirp.

For more information about smoke alarms, contact the Fire Hall or visit the Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management’s website at ontario.ca/firemarshal.