Test your smoke alarms! ‘Saved by the Beep’ coming up

Windsor Fire and Rescue Services Deputy Chief Jamie Waffle holding a smoke alarm in Windsor, Ont. on Oct. 7, 2024. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)

The ‘Saved by the Beep’ campaign is approaching, and Windsor Fire Chief Jamie Waffle is encouraging everyone to test their smoke alarms.

The campaign is on Sunday and looks to keep people safe, if a fire sparks in your home.

“Being prepared for a fire starts with pressing the test button and knowing your smoke alarm works,” said Waffle.

“Test alarms monthly, replace batteries yearly, and replace alarms every 10 years – it saves lives.”

According to a news release from Windsor fire and the city, fatalities from residential fires have been on the rise in Ontario since 2020. So far in 2025, there have been 92 fatal fires across the province.

“The increased number of fatal fires and fire deaths across the province is extremely concerning,” said Ontario Fire Marshal Jon Pegg.

“Whether people have a false sense of safety or the mistaken belief that fire will not happen to them, too many homes in the province lack basic protection against a fatal fire: A working smoke alarm.”

The Saved by the Beep campaign has a monthly reminder to check your alarms via email, available here.