Latest news with #Kidde
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Every second counts: Augmented reality tool helps train Canadians for home fire emergencies
Kidde's Cause For Alarm 'Prepare. Plan. Practice.', a first-of-its-kind digital simulator, brings fire safety training into the home — no downloads required. The following joint news release has been issued on behalf of Kidde, the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council, and the Ontario Association of Fire Educators (OAFE). TORONTO, July 08, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Home fires now burn with alarming speed, up to 8 times faster than 50 years ago¹, yet many Canadians are unprepared to react quickly enough. Almost 7 out 10 Canadians (69%) believe they have more time to escape than what fire experts say is the reality: 2 minutes or less. This dangerous misconception means many won't be ready for a fire at home, and when every second counts, being prepared with working smoke alarms and an escape plan could be the difference between life and death. Kidde, a trusted leader in fire safety for more than 100 years, is expanding its annual Cause For Alarm™ campaign, a global fire safety education initiative, with the launch of Prepare. Plan. Practice., a free tool that uses augmented reality (AR) technology to bring fire safety to life. It offers a first-of-its-kind at-home digital fire drill simulator that helps users build essential skills, improve awareness and learn how to react quickly in a home fire emergency. 'By leveraging cutting-edge AR technology, this tool makes essential fire safety education more accessible, engaging, and actionable,' explains Ivanette Bonilla, Kidde's Chief Communications and Government Relations Officer. 'Children may participate in up to 10 fire drills at school each year, but few families practice fire safety at home where fires are more likely to happen — underscoring the need to bring this experience into households to help families prepare together.' Prepare. Plan. Practice. is accessible to anyone through any smartphone or tablet browser, with no downloads, purchases or apps required. This gives Canadians a safe, yet realistic way to experience a home fire, learn room-by-room safety tips and practice an escape in real time against a 2-minute countdown. The experience features the following modes: Demonstration Mode kicks off the journey, using AR technology to simulate what a fire would look like in the user's own room. This dramatization shows how quickly a fire can grow and spread in just two minutes. Learn Mode lets users explore a digital home and click through fire hazards, smoke alarm tips, carbon monoxide safety and more. Practice Mode guides users through creating a personalized escape plan, then simulates a fire with sound effects and a live 2-minute timer. There's even a 'Kid Mode' for families with younger children, offering a less intense but equally educational version of the simulation. The tool also features a Safety Hub; upon users completing their experience, they are directed to this central resource hub that provides links to additional fire safety information, printable checklists, escape plan templates and other educational materials. This tool was developed in consultation and collaboration with leading Canadian and international fire safety organizations who play a critical role in ensuring its accuracy, relevance and alignment with the fire safety needs of Canadians. Prepare. Plan. Practice. has the support of these organizations, including: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council Ontario Association of Fire Educators (OAFE) 'It's crucial that we continue to evolve the way we educate and prepare people for emergencies. Prepare. Plan. Practice. serves as a powerful example of how technology can be leveraged to help make life-saving fire safety knowledge more engaging, accessible, and actionable for today's families,' says Laura King, Canadian Director, National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®). 'We're proud to see messaging from NFPA's Educational Messaging Advisory Committee Desk Reference — the global resource for public education messaging — incorporated into innovative solutions that help advance public safety.' 'At the Ontario Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council, one of our goals has always been to make fire and life safety education widely accessible,' says Jamie Kovacs, Executive Director at the Ontario Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council. 'This invaluable new tool supports that mission by engaging families directly in their homes. It's a powerful way to reinforce what kids learn at school and help close the gap in fire preparedness at home.' Visit to access the free tool and take a critical step toward protecting yourself and your loved ones. You'll also find a full suite of fire safety resources which include a children's book titled Safety Saves the Day!, a children's fire safety song, 'Beeps that Last Get Out Fast', and Kidde's Fire Safety Toolkit, which is available in seven different languages. Sources: ¹ FSRI, Comparison of Natural and Synthetic Home Furnishings, ² Study commissioned by Kidde, facilitated by Maru Blue September 2024 ³ Statistics Canada. 'Incident-based fire statistics, by type of fire incident and type of structure,' 2017 to 2021. ⁴ Statistics Canada. 'Unintentional fire-related deaths in Canada.' 2011 to 2020. About Kidde Kidde, a leading manufacturer of residential smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, fire extinguishers, and safety accessories, has been keeping the world a safer place for over 100 years. Kidde produced the first integrated smoke detection system a century ago and continues its legacy today by delivering advanced fire-safety technology. Kidde is a part of Kidde Global Solutions, a global leader in fire and life safety solutions. For more information, visit or follow @KiddeCanada on Facebook and Instagram. About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Founded in 1896, NFPA is a global, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information, visit All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at About the FMPFSC The Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council (FMPFSC) is a registered charity organization in Ontario dedicated to promoting fire prevention and public education across the province. Established in 1993, the Council collaborates with fire departments, community organizations, and private sector partners to enhance fire safety awareness and training initiatives. About the OAFE The Ontario Association of Fire Educators (OAFE) is a professional organization dedicated to supporting fire and life safety educators across the province. OAFE develops and delivers effective public education resources, advocates for fire safety awareness, and fosters professional growth through training, collaboration, and a strong provincial network. For more information about: Cause For Alarm, visit NFPA, visit FMPFSC, visit OAFE, visit Media Contact: Stephanie Berzinski A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
Business Wire
25-06-2025
- Business Wire
Kidde Launches "Destination Safety" to Empower Travelers with Safety Tools Amid Rising Concerns Over Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Risks
MEBANE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Carbon monoxide (CO) is a silent, odorless killer that strikes without warning - even while traveling. With inconsistent regulations putting the onus on individuals, Kidde, North America's #1 fire safety brand¹, is helping travelers stay safe with Destination Safety, a new education-first initiative designed to empower travelers to better protect themselves from the threat of carbon monoxide poisoning. As part of the program, starting today travelers can access the Travel Safety Checklist to help protect themselves and their families. This effort follows a series of recent travel-related CO tragedies highlighting the critical need for increased awareness and proactive measures, especially with the busy summer travel season underway. CO poisonings are increasing in the US and are responsible for over 100,000 emergency room visits, 14,000 hospitalizations, and over 400 deaths each year in the US – though the actual number of CO poisonings is likely significantly higher than estimated due to the imperceptible nature of CO, the wide array of CO poisoning symptoms, and a lack of robust diagnostic tools. ² When it comes to travel-related incidents, firefighters report having responded to more than 4,000 carbon monoxide emergencies at hotels, motels and resorts between 1999 and 2020, claiming the lives of at least two dozen people and injuring more than 1,000.³ "Travelers have lots to consider when preparing for a trip, and we are urging them to prioritize carbon monoxide safety both at home and away," said Isis Wu, Kidde President, Residential Fire & Safety. "Helping keep people safe is at the core of what Kidde stands for, and with no federal law mandating CO alarms in every hotel or in every vacation rental bedroom, it's essential for individuals to take control of their safety and the devices that can help save lives.' Only 14 states in the U.S. currently require the installation of carbon monoxide detectors in hotels and motels, leaving many travelers vulnerable ⁴. While some take routine measures to help protect their homes while they are away, many do not consider the same safety risks at their destination. The new Travel Safety Checklist helps prepare travelers by encouraging them to: Test at-home smoke and CO alarms before traveling to ensure they're working properly Pack a AA-battery operated CO alarm for use in your travel destination such as a double-AA battery operated CO alarm with a digital display ⁵ Check to make sure smoke and CO alarms are present and functioning in vacation properties In addition to providing educational resources and advocating for stronger safety regulations, Kidde will be donating CO alarms to communities where CO regulations are not yet in place. These efforts aim to raise awareness, increase access to lifesaving fire and carbon monoxide products, and help safeguard vulnerable communities. To learn more about Kidde's fire & CO safety resources or to download the Travel Safety Checklist, visit and follow Kidde on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. About Kidde For over 100 years, Kidde has been a trusted name in fire safety, manufacturing residential smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, and safety accessories. After introducing the first integrated smoke detection system a century ago, Kidde continues to set the standard and help protect people and property with advanced, smart and connected solutions for today's modern consumer. For more information, visit or follow Kidde on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.
Hamilton Spectator
06-06-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Fire safety gets big boost in Kahnawake
Experts sounded the alarm on fire safety at the Kahnawake Fire Brigade (KFB) on Wednesday, kicking off a campaign that will reach at least 16 Indigenous communities, ahead of a giveaway of hundreds of smoke alarms in town. 'Kahnawake by far is probably the tip of the sword when it comes to fire protection,' said interim KFB fire chief Wihse Stacey. 'Communities look up to us. It's not unusual to get calls from Cree communities, from communities out west. Generally, we tend to lead the way. Having Kidde on board when it comes to fire safety, it's huge.' Kidde, a century-old brand specializing in fire safety projects, has teamed up with the likes of the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council and Firefighters Without Borders for its Cause for Alarm campaign, which will see 6,000 fire alarms donated to First Nations. 'We can't underscore how important this initiative is for this community and to all First Nations communities who struggle to maintain fire departments across the country,' said Mohawk Council of Kahnawake chief David Diabo, who attended to show Council's support for the initiative. He implored Kahnawa'kehró:non to sign up to receive a smoke detector, which will be distributed by the fire brigade pending an announcement on how they will be given out. 'It's so important because fire safety is all about being prepared, and everyone's at risk for fires in their homes, but some communities have higher rates of house fires,' said Ivanette Bonilla, chief communications and government relations officer for Kidde, who noted Indigenous communities suffer around 20 percent of fire-related deaths despite making up about five percent of the country's population. 'It's critically important that we reach these communities, not only with the alarms, but also with the education on how to keep the alarm,' she said, noting the importance of testing it monthly, changing it every 10 years, and of households having an evacuation plan, which is crucial when seconds count. The alarms provided by Kidde have 25 percent faster detection, Bonilla said, and are designed to avoid nuisance alarms that often prompt people to disable the devices. 'If you're cooking a hamburger at home, it won't trigger the alarm,' Bonilla said. A total of 504 alarms were donated to Kahnawake. Stacey presented the donation as an opportunity for community members to ensure early fire detection without having to dig into their own pockets. 'As a fire inspector, it's hard for me to go into these houses and tell them what to do, to tell them they have to spend money on fire safety,' said Stacey. 'How do I justify them spending money? They might be struggling to put food on the table but here I am walking in saying you have to buy this, you have to buy that.' The donation changes that equation, which is crucial considering the role the devices can play in the security of the community. 'Early detection saves lives, plain and simple,' he said, noting that anyone who has seen a video of a house fire on YouTube will know how fast fires can consume homes. Like Bonilla, Stacey urged community members to ensure their smoke alarms are functioning, with the fire brigade often seeing alarms installed that should have been out of commission long ago. 'That's actually one of the biggest problems that we face,' he said. 'If I walk into a house, there's a good chance I'm going to find one that could be 20 or even 30 years old. They have that funny yellow colour that looks like somebody's been smoking in there for years, and it's obvious to me without even having to look at it that it's long since expired, and that's the problem.' The last time the fire brigade distributed smoke detectors, there was a line up down the road before the giveaway even opened, he said, showing the level of interest and need in the community. Kahnawake elder Otsitsaken:ra Charlie Patton opened the event at the fire brigade, during which he recalled the Kahnawake of his childhood. 'I remember they had an old pumper truck that maybe started one day and didn't start the next day, and maybe it only ran because people pushed it up a hill,' he said. Oftentimes, he said, wells would go dry before a fire had been extinguished, and despite community members coming together, homes would be lost. 'Now look at where we are, the beautiful equipment that we have,' he said. 'This didn't just happen because somebody flicked a switch. It happened because people had foresight, people had a dream, people did the legwork and rolled up their sleeves and found ways to make the community better.' This is the context in which he put the smoke alarm donation. 'I'm sure it will save a lot of lives,' he said. marcus@ Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Global News
05-06-2025
- General
- Global News
Why are fire-related deaths higher in Indigenous communities?
Laura McComber's mind is more at ease. On Wednesday, the resident in the Mohawk community of Kahnawake, south of Montreal, had a smoke detector installed in her home, where her parents lived. It's her first one. 'There was never any alarm systems,' she told Global News. 'I don't think they had anything like that back in the day.' Fire officials estimate that only about half the homes in that community have smoke detectors, and that the smoke detector shortage also exists in Indigenous communities across Canada. 'Part of it comes down to education,' explained Arnold Lazare, Indigenous fire marshal for Canada. 'People don't knowingly not install smoke alarms. We found out that in many instances it comes down to economics where people have other priorities.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy It's why a coalition of private and and Indigenous groups have launched a pilot project to distribute and install more than 6,000 smoke alarms for Indigenous families across the country. They're distributing the alarms to 16 Indigenous communities, including Kahnawake, which is getting just over 500. Story continues below advertisement 'While [Indigenous Peoples] only make five per cent of the population in Canada, they make about 20 per cent of fire related deaths,' Ivanette Bonilla explained. She's chief communications & government relations officer for Kidde, the company providing the devices. 'There's a great need to raise awareness of fire safety education, but also access to working smoke alarms.' Lazare agrees. 'There was a fire in Kahnawake recently that the family didn't have a working detector,' he recalls. 'Their injuries are probably graver than what would've happened if they had a working detector.' Included in the pilot project is fire safety education, without which the distribution of equipment would not be as effective, officials say. 'That includes our tool kit,' said Bonilla. 'It has information on how to create a family escape plan so that everyone in the home knows what to do, including children.' The groups want to expand the project if this first phase goes well. Story continues below advertisement
Montreal Gazette
04-06-2025
- General
- Montreal Gazette
Campaign to distribute smoke detectors in 16 First Nations communities kicks off in Kahnawake
By KAHNAWAKE — Indigenous Peoples living on reserves are 10 times more likely to die in a house fire than non-Indigenous Canadians, according to the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council. An initiative launched Wednesday in Kahnawake aims to change that. The campaign will distribute 6,000 smoke detectors across 16 First Nations communities, including Kahnawake — devices that local firefighters say are more crucial than fire engines when it comes to saving lives. 'Fire departments don't save lives. They save structures,' said Kahnawake Fire Brigade captain Karonhi:io Curotte. Fatal fires tend to spread too fast for fire departments to respond on time, he said. The life-and-death question is not how fast the fire is extinguished, but how quickly people get out. 'A fire grows so fast,' said Arnold Lazare, the former Kahnawake fire chief who is now spearheading the campaign in his capacity as Indigenous Fire Marshall of Canada at the National Indigenous Fire Safety Council. Even 'if the department gets there within three minutes (after the fire starts) ... the smoke is at a level where it's fatal already.' Smoke detectors alert people to fires quickly, improving their odds of getting out on time. In Kahnawake, many homes have smoke detectors, but the devices are often too old to function, fire chief Wihse Stacey said. 'I don't think people are hesitant to put smoke alarms in their homes.' A recent distribution of smoke detectors saw the supply of more than 100 of the devices run out in a matter of minutes, he said. 'The problem is that they don't understand that smoke alarms have a shelf life.' With most calls to the fire department concerning smaller issues, such as suspicious odours, Stacey said firefighters will talk to people they meet about installing smoke alarms. 'Public education' is key to fighting fires, he said. 'Telling them is one thing. Teaching them why is a whole different story.' The detectors, donated by Kidde, a U.S. smoke detector distributor, will be installed by fire departments in homes to prevent improper installation. The detectors are designed to last 10 years without requiring a new battery, said Kidde communications officer Ivanette Bonilla. A May 27 house fire in Kahnawake was the third in about a month, Curotte said. 'The house was fully engulfed,' said Stacey, with the family losing their home. But that frequency is not the norm, Curotte said, with public safety campaigns having successfully reduced the number of fires over recent decades. When he became a firefighter 32 years ago, Curotte said the department would expect a major fire every month. 'People didn't have smoke detectors,' he said. 'We've had people die.' Fire detector awareness has significantly improved in the community, he said, making Kahnawake less susceptible to fatal house fires than some of the other communities included in the campaign. Many Indigenous communities are without fire departments, he said. And many don't receive the necessary funding to pay their firefighters. Kahnawake has 15 paid staff, including firefighters, office personnel and ambulance drivers. 'It's the only fire department in all of Quebec where you see red and white ambulances,' Curotte said.
