Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms Say City and Peterborough Fire Services

With Daylight Savings Time and the clocks springing forward one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Peterborough Fire Services and the City of Peterborough are reminding residents to check their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms when they change their clocks. 

Photo by Keegan Beekers.

“In order for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to save lives, they need to be working,” explained Fire Chief Chris Snetsinger. “When you change your clocks on Sunday, Peterborough Fire Services wants everyone to take the time to check all the alarms in their home. Check the expiry date and test every alarm. Be sure to change the batteries if you do not have a wired or 10-year battery sealed alarm.”

Residents are reminded that nine-volt batteries can be fire hazards when not stored safely. It is unsafe to store them in a drawer near paper clips, coins, pens or other batteries. Cover the positive and negative posts with masking, duct or electrical tape before disposing of the battery to be safe.

The City of Peterborough works with not-for-profit organization Call2Recycle that provides battery recycling programs nationwide to divert batteries from going to the City’s landfill according to a press release. Batteries can be dropped off at the Household Hazardous Waste Depot at 400 Pido Rd. and at locations throughout the city for safe disposal:

• City Hall, 500 George St. N.

• Peterborough Public Library, 345 Aylmer St.

• Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, 775 Brealey Dr.

Other battery drop-off locations in Peterborough:

• GreenUP Store, 378 Aylmer St.

• Kingan Home Hardware, 167 Simcoe St.

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Peterborough Fire Services Warns Public of Expired Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Following recent incidents involving expired smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in the city, Peterborough Fire Services urges all residents to ensure their alarms are functioning correctly and are not expired says the City of Peterborough.

Photo by Keegan Beekers.

Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms require regular checks and maintenance. Residents are reminded to look at the back of the alarm to find its manufacturing date. If the alarm is 10 years old or older, it must be replaced with the same type of alarm.

Key information regarding smoke and carbon monoxide alarms:

• Smoke alarms need to be replaced every 10 years.

• Homeowners play a crucial role in maintaining their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms which are vital for home safety.

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every floor of your home, including the basement. If possible, interconnect all alarms so that if one goes off, they all do.

• When replacing your alarm, opt for the same type of alarm, preferably interconnected and hardwired.

• Ensure any new alarms installed have the CSA and UL seal of approval.

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Peterborough Police Have Provided Halloween Safety Tips For Trick-Or-Treating

Peterborough Police Service has provided safety tips for everyone as they go trick-or-treating this Halloween.

Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The Police have provided these safety tips:

• Carry a flashlight

• Wear a costume with reflective elements

• Go up one side of the street & then the other

• Tell your parents your route

• Stay on well lit paths; don't go through front yards

• Have an adult check your candy

• Do not go to a house where the front light is on

• Stay on the sidewalk

• Avoid constantly crossing the street

• If kids are with parents, do not let kids get go too far ahead

• Wear bright costumes or reflective colours

• Do not take shortcuts through other people’s backyards

• Trick-or-treat in small groups

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Enbridge Gas and Peterborough Fire Services Partner to Reduce Fire and Carbon Monoxide Deaths In New Project

Enbridge Gas Inc. and Peterborough Fire Services have partnered to improve home safety and bring fire and carbon monoxide-related deaths down to zero with the Safe Community Project Zero, announced at the Peterborough Fire Services Station # 3 on Monday.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough Fire Services.

“Last year there were 133 fire fatalities in the province – the most in 20 years,” says Fire Chief Chris Snetsinger. “As part of Project Zero, we are encouraging everyone to learn more about smoke alarms, fire safety, and home fire escape planning which can save the lives of you and your loved ones. Only working smoke alarms will alert us in the event of a fire. We need to have them, and they need to work. These alarms will help us get them into the homes that need them most.”

Peterborough Fire Services received 324 combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms through Safe Community Project Zero–a public education campaign that will provide more than 10,000 alarms to residents in 50 municipalities across Ontario according to a press release.

It was reported by The City of Peterborough that Enbridge Gas invested $315,000 in Safe Community Project Zero, and over the past 15 years, the program has provided more than 86,000 alarms to Ontario fire departments.

When properly installed and maintained, combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms help provide the early warning to safely escape from a house fire or carbon monoxide exposure. Carbon monoxide is a toxic, odourless gas that is a by-product of incomplete combustion of many types of common fuels as stated in a press release.

“Properly maintaining fuel burning equipment is the best way to reduce potential exposure to carbon monoxide, and an alarm is a critical second line of defense for protection,” said Ian Moase, manager operations of Enbridge Gas.” When we implement these strategies together, we protect our loved ones from carbon monoxide poisoning, also known as the silent killer.”

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Peterborough Public Health Issues Drug Poisoning Warning

Peterborough Public Health has issued a warning Tuesday following an increase in suspected drug-poisonings in the area.  

file photo.

Over the long weekend, Peterborough Public Health detected over 15 suspected drug-poisonings that occurred in Peterborough City/County. Poisonings were responded to by 911 first responders, emergency department staff and service providers in the community. These reports have prompted Peterborough Public Health to issue a public warning in the hope of preventing further harms to the community. 

At this time, a specific substance has not been identified as the cause of the poisonings. However, there are reports of a light green substance and pink substance being of concern. All community members are asked to be careful when using drugs. Peterborough Public Health is reminding everyone that street drugs may be cut or mixed with toxic substances. Beware that using even a small amount of a drug can be fatal.  

Additional information can be found using the link.

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Safety Tips for Residents From the City of Peterborough in The Event of a Utility Outage

The City of Peterborough is providing safety tips for residents in the event of utility outages in advance of the major winter storm that is forecast to begin in the late hours of Thursday.

Photo by Samantha Bianco.

Peterborough could be hit with rapidly falling temperatures, potentially damaging winds along, snow and potential for blizzard conditions on Friday and into the weekend.

To protect their home and property during extended power outages during cold weather, residents are encouraged to:

• leave the cold water tap open slightly so there is a trickle of water to prevent pipes from freezing

• open cupboard doors to kitchen and bathroom sinks to allow the residual heat from inside the house will help keep the indoor pipes from freezing

• keep fridges/freezers closed to keep items cold as long as possible

• do not use barbeques or propane heaters indoors due to carbon monoxide risk

• don't leave burning candles unattended

Peterborough Fire Services offers the following advice to keep you and your family safe from a winter fire:

• Make sure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms have battery backups

• Plan two ways out of the home in case of an emergency. Clear driveway and front walk of ice and snow. This will provide easy access to your home

• If possible, try to keep hydrants clear of snow and ice so firefighters can access them if needed

• Make sure your house number can be seen from the street

• Be ready if the heat stops working. Use extra layers of clothes and blankets to stay warm. If you use an emergency heat source, keep anything that can burn at least three feet away. NEVER use your oven to heat your home

• Have flashlights or battery-powered lighting and fresh batteries. Never use candles. If you must use candles, never leave them unattended

• Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room. Turn them off when you go to bed

• Check on neighbours and others who may need help

• Generators should be used outdoors. Keep them away from windows and doors. Do not run a generator inside your garage, even if the door is open. Never fuel a generator while it is running

• Keep snow, ice, and other debris away from exhaust vents to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning

• Stay at least 10 metres away from downed wires and report any downed wires to authorities: 1-888-664-9376 for Hydro One, or 911 if there is an immediate personal safety risk

Residents are encouraged to stay aware of winter weather and hydro outages. The Hydro One website provides an outage map, easy online reporting of outages and the ability to sign up for outage alerts.

The City is closely monitoring the developing winter storm and preparing to implement storm response operations/emergency management measures if required.

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Peterborough Police Lay 70 Traffic Related Charges In First Week Of School

The Back-to-School Traffic Safety Initiative between Peterborough County, Township of Cavan Monaghan and the Peterborough Police Service has safety at the forefront with 70 charges laid in the first week. 

Photo by Luke Best.

Between September 6-9, officers laid the following charges:

• Speeding: 42

• Distracted Driving: 1

• Crosswalk Offences: 2

• Permit Violations: 23

• Unsafe Vehicles: 2 (Towed from Highway)

“Peterborough Police remind motorists that back to school time is an exciting time for children and we want to ensure it’s also a safe time,” said Acting Chief Tim Farquharson, Peterborough Police Services. “Please be aware of school zones, buses on our roads, and students walking and cycling to school. Together we can ensure everyone has a safe and memorable back to school experience.”

Peterborough Police will continue to monitor school and community zones over the coming weeks to ensure school children are safe during the return to school.  

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Peterborough Police Will Increase Traffic Enforcement In School Zones After Labour Day

In partnership with Peterborough County and Township of Cavan Monaghan, Peterborough Police Services will be increasing traffic enforcement in school zones this fall.

Stock Photo.

As children and staff return to school in September, school busses, cars and foot traffic will increase in school zones.

Drivers are reminded to take extra precautions including slowing down in school zones, planning to leave early, giving at least one metre’s clearance to cyclists, and stopping for school buses.

Peterborough Police Services would like to remind motorists of the following:

1) You must stop for stopped school buses with lights flashing.

2) Speeding in a school zone can result in fines and demerit points.

3) Crossing guards have the right to stop traffic at crosswalks – abide by their direction.

4) Distracted driving can cost you up to $3000 in fines, 6 demerit points and a 30-day

license suspension.

To keep school children safe, Peterborough Police will be monitoring and issuing tickets as required for offences in school zones and/or community safety zones.

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Peterborough Police Service Remind Residents On What to Do In Case of Bear Sighting

After a black bear was reported wandering through the west end of Peterborough on Monday, Peterborough Police Service is reminding residents what they can do if they spot a bear in their area.

A black bear digs for grubs at the edge of the water. Photo courtesy of Dave Ellis.

Call 9-1-1 if it is an emergency situation, otherwise, call the toll-free Be Bear Wise reporting line at 1-866-514-2327. The line operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week from Apr. 1 to Nov. 30.

The police consider emergency situations when the bear poses an immediate threat to personal safety and exhibits aggressive behaviour such as:

• entering a school yard when school is in session

• stalks people and lingers at the site

• enters or tries to enter a residence

• wanders into a public gathering

• kills livestock/pets and lingers at the site

Non-emergency encounters include:

• roams around or checks garbage cans

• breaks into a shed where garbage or food is stored

• is in a tree

• pulls down a bird feeder or knocks over a barbecue

• moves through a backyard or field but does not linger

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Trent-Severn Waterway Partially Closed Due to High Water Levels and Flows This Friday

Parks Canada is partially closing navigation of the Trent-Severn Waterway due to high water levels and flows starting Friday until further notice.

File Photo.

Over the past 15 days, Trent-Severn’s watersheds have received significant amounts of precipitation, equal to no more than double the normal amount expected. Parks Canada advises anyone to exercise extreme caution near the water.

The list of stations that are open and closed during the partial closure occurring on Friday. Updates are provided regularly. Photo courtesy of Parks Canada.

This partial closure is meant to protect boater safety and help to prevent shoreline erosion and property damage experienced by local residents and businesses according to Parks Canada. They recommended all boaters lower their speeds and watch their wake.

Residents around Lock 19 – Scotts Mills will see a controlled breach of the construction site at the dam over the weekend to aid in the movement of water down the Otonabee River. The breach is not a danger to public safety.

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