Montréal, 19 June 2017 - Anie Samson, chair of the executive committee and member in charge of public safety and services to residents, announced the return of the smoke detector brigade for the eighth consecutive year. The brigade is composed of around 40 fire safety students.

"Throughout the summer season, residents of the greater Montréal area will be visited by the smoke alarm brigadiers, who will promote smoke alarms and explain how they work. They will even give them away for free. The smoke detector is an indispensable and obligatory device. It is inexpensive, easy to install and maintain, and it saves lives," said Samson.

In 2016, the smoke alarm brigade gave out more than 5,000 smoke alarms with a lithium battery. When residents aren't home, they leave a brochure about the importance of having a functional alarm. The smoke alarm brigade supports fire prevention efforts by firefighters and prevention officers.

Signing a lease: Section on smoke alarms

July 1 is fast approaching and many Montrealers will renew their leases or sign new leases. A provincial initiative added a smoke alarms clause to the "Rental Lease" form of the Régie du logement du Québec. Since 2015, landlords and tenants have been asked to comply with the regulations around the presence and proper functioning of smoke alarms. This awareness-raising action encourages owners and tenants to take responsibility for their respective roles concerning smoke alarms.

Owners must install smoke alarms on each floor of a dwelling and replace them no later than 10 years after their date of manufacture, while occupants are in charge of maintaining smoke alarms, including battery replacement.

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