Applications are open for free smoke alarms and installations from Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) fire departments. Homeowners who need a smoke alarm but can’t afford one are eligible to apply starting Thursday to Oct. 31. Firefighters will install an alarm for each floor that has a bedroom and provide safety information. This is the second year the program is running in CBRM. In 2025, it provided 258 smoke alarms to homes across the municipality. Residents can apply online. According to Statistics Canada, there are roughly 220 fire-related deaths each year. The data comes after analyzing a 10-year period between 2011 to 2020. At least one in seven unintentional residential fire-related deaths did not have a working smoke alarm. Health Canada’s fire safety tips include choosing a smoke alarm that meets Canadian safety standards and testing it monthly. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
