A rise in fires in Campbell River has the city’s fire chief pushing for the importance of having working smoke alarms.
“Regularly changing smoke alarm batteries is quite possibly the easiest, most affordable way to save lives,” fire chief Thomas Doherty said.
Campbell River has seen a 28 percent rise in the number of structure fires in 2019
Doherty said the unfortunate reality is that fire kills approximately eight Canadians every week.
“Nearly three-quarters of those deaths are in residential fires, and most are completely avoidable,” Doherty added. “We know that a working smoke alarm increases the chances of surviving a house fire.”
The Campbell River Fire Department recommends replacing smoke alarm batteries with the time change.
Clocks will be set back one hour for the end of Daylight Saving Time on Nov. 4.
“Saving lives can be as simple as changing your smoke alarm batteries once a year. We also recommend having a smoke alarm in every bedroom, outside every sleeping area, and on each floor of your home,” Doherty adds. “For everyone’s sake, please make regular smoke alarm testing in your home a priority. And plan to replace smoke alarms every seven to 10 years.”
