The Fire Chiefs' Association of BC and the Office of the Fire Commissioner remind us that everyone should change their smoke alarm batteries once a year. The springtime change provides an easy opportunity for families to make this an annual routine.

The usual life span of a smoke alarm is 10 years. British Columbians are encouraged to check their smoke alarms on a monthly basis - both by pressing the test button to ensure they are working properly, and to check that the batteries have not expired.

In March 2012, Justice Minister and Attorney General Shirley Bond and the president of the Fire Chiefs' Association of BC and Surrey fire chief Len Garis, with support from the BC Office of the Fire Commissioner, launched a provincewide smoke alarm awareness campaign. Now entering its second year, the campaign continues to gain momentum as almost 50 communities throughout the province have partnered with fire service personnel and local organizations. The goal is to save lives by having a working smoke alarm in every household in B.C.

Quotes:

Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond -

"I'm encouraged by the substantial progress we've made over the past year in raising awareness about this important safety issue. As the campaign continues, this is a good opportunity to recommend to British Columbians that daylight savings is the perfect time to check their smoke alarms and to change the batteries. Taking these simple steps could save their family's life."

Len Garis, Fire Chiefs' Association of BC president and Surrey fire chief -

"British Columbians are getting the message that working smoke alarms save lives. Not only is it important to have at least one installed in your home, but also to remember that regular smoke alarm testing and cleaning, along with replacing the batteries every year, will go a long way in keeping everyone in their household safe."

Quick Facts:

• Data from the Office of the Fire Commissioner shows that in 11,000 residential fires in B.C. from 2006 to 2011, nearly 70 per cent of the fire scenes examined either had no smoke alarm or the smoke alarm was not working.

• Based on two decades of fire-related data, research also predicts that working smoke alarms could reduce annual fire deaths by as much as 32 per cent and save 76 lives across Canada each year.

• Research also shows that there is a greater risk of fire-related fatalities for households with young children, older adults or people with disabilities, as well as people who live in rental units, households in low-income areas, rural communities and First Nations reserves.

Learn More:

To view the public service message, go to: www.workingsmokealarms.ca

Information about the smoke alarm campaign is at: www.fcabc.ca

To learn more about the Office of the Fire Commissioner, go to: embc.gov.bc.ca/ofc/index.htm

Contact:

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