Premier Christy Clark announced that West Kelowna is the latest partner to join the campaign aimed at ensuring every B.C. home has a working smoke alarm.

"One of the simplest and most effective ways we can keep B.C. families safe in their homes is by ensuring they have a working smoke alarm that they test regularly," said Premier Clark. "We know that the safety of seniors in particular is improved when they have working smoke alarms in their homes. With so many people choosing to retire in the beautiful Okanagan, West Kelowna's leadership in joining us to actively support the smoke alarm campaign is vital."

In support of the campaign, the District of West Kelowna today announced its fire personnel are available to help residents install or test their smoke alarms, free of charge. As well, some residents may be eligible for a free alarm through the West Kelowna Fire Hall.

"Since we kicked off the smoke alarm campaign in March with a call for action, we have picked up generous support from many partners, and it's encouraging to see the momentum continue to build," said Shirley Bond, Minister of Justice and Attorney General. "As awareness grows and communities join in to ensure that vulnerable citizens are protected, I believe we can reduce fire-related deaths and injuries and save many families unnecessary grief."

Research by Surrey Fire Services, in partnership with the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), has shown the province's most vulnerable populations, including seniors and young children, face the highest risk of dying in a residential fire. The Okanagan has one of British Columbia's largest concentrations of seniors per capita, with more than 350,000 people aged 65 and over.

"The District of West Kelowna is proud to be a new partner in this important campaign to save lives," said Doug Findlater, mayor of the District of West Kelowna. "Our firefighters are available to help residents stay safe by ensuring they have a working smoke alarm in their home."

The smoke alarm campaign, launched in Surrey last March, has attracted partners including B.C.'s Office of the Fire Commissioner, the Fire Chiefs' Association of B.C., the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, the Insurance Brokers' Association of B.C., the Canadian Association of Fire Chiefs and the City of Surrey.

A backgrounder follows.

Contacts:

Jennifer Chalmers
Communications Coordinator
Office of the Premier
250 889-1363

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 356-6961

BACKGROUNDER

Ongoing campaign developments include:

• This summer, Justice Minister and Attorney General Shirley Bond and Social Development Minister Stephanie Cadieux will lead a meeting with major B.C. organizations and businesses to further the objectives of the smoke alarm campaign.
• B.C.'s Office of the Fire Commissioner and the Fire Chiefs' Association of B.C. will lead a steering committee of stakeholders on the local, provincial and national level, with a focus on the Three E's of Injury Prevention - education, environment and enforcement.
• A national fire injury reduction forum is scheduled for Oct. 12, 2012, hosted by Surrey Fire Service with the Canadian Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons.
• Oct. 12, 2012, will be proclaimed Smoke Alarm Awareness Day in B.C.
• Black Press, the Victoria-based owner of the Kelowna Capital News, is adding more reach to the safety campaign through a $350,000 strategic, multimedia investment to raise awareness among its readers.
• Kidde Canada has donated 5,000 smoke alarms for free distribution to vulnerable populations throughout British Columbia, including First Nations.
• In addition to promoting smoke alarms to its 6,000 employees, BC Hydro is using blogs, social media, and an e-newsletter that reaches 200,000 customers to communicate the importance of having a working smoke alarm.

Quick Facts:

The Surrey Fire Services and UFV research shows:

• On average, 35 people died in structure fires in B.C. each year between 2006 and 2011.
• Young children, older adults, people with disabilities, rental units, and households in low-income areas, rural communities and First Nations reserves are at greater risk.
• Working smoke alarms could reduce annual fire deaths by as much as 32 per cent.

Data from the Office of the Fire Commissioner shows nearly 70 per cent of the fire scenes examined between 2006 and 2011 had no functioning smoke alarm.

Learn More:

The UFV study is at: www.ufv.ca/Assets/CCJR/Reports+and+Publications/Smoke_Alarms_Work$!2c_But_not_Forever.pdf

Further details about the campaign will be publicized as it rolls out during 2012. Information about the campaign will be available at: www.fcabc.ca

Contacts:

Jennifer Chalmers
Communications Coordinator
Office of the Premier
250 889-1363

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 356-6961