Location matters when it comes to your smoke alarm. That's the message behind this year's Fire Prevention Week campaign, "Hear the Beep Where You Sleep. Every Bedroom Should Have a Working Smoke Alarm!" Along with firefighters and safety advocates nationwide, Delta Fire Emergency Services is joining forces with the National Fire Protection Association during Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4 to 10, to remind local residents about the importance of having working smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.
"In a fire, seconds count," said deputy fire Chief Michel Latendresse. "Half of home fire deaths result from fires reported at night between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep. Home smoke alarms can alert people to a fire before it spreads, giving everyone enough time to get out."
According to the latest National Fire Protection Association research, working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire in half. Meanwhile, three out of five fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
Delta Fire Rescue Emergency Services will once be delivering the annual Fire Life Safety Program to Schools during Fire Prevention Week and through the month of October.
Through this educational experience with fire crews, elementary students will learn about the importance of having a working smoke alarm in every bedroom and general fire safety. Children will have an opportunity to win an IPad sponsored by the Office of the B.C. Fire Commissioner, the B.C. Fire Chiefs' Association, the Fire Training Officers' Association of B.C., the Fire Prevention Officers' Association of B.C. and Fortis BC. Children will also have the opportunity to become the Chief-For-A-Day.
