Natasha Baldin
News Staff
The Saanich Fire Prevention Division is reminding residents of the importance of working smoke alarms in their homes amid an alarming provincial increase in fire-related deaths in the past year.
In its annual report, the Office of the Fire Commissioner reported 86 fire-related deaths and 212 injuries across the province in 2022. The number of fire-related deaths has increased by 46 per cent in the last year, and by 207 per cent in the past five years.
But the most concerning trend, according to Sean Lillis, a lieutenant inspector with the department’s prevention division, is that only 45 per cent of reported structure fires in 2022 had working smoke alarms.
“A working smoke alarm and sprinkler systems create the greatest opportunity for surviving a fire,” he said. “According to fire research, having working smoke alarms would reduce the risk of deaths by 50 per cent.”
Smoke alarms also require the proper maintenance, he added. Just as important as having one installed is checking the batteries once a year, replacing the smoke alarm every 10 years, refraining from taking batteries out during a false alarm, as well as pressing the test button monthly to ensure it is working properly.
Along with other local fire departments in the CRD, Lillis and the Saanich Fire Prevention Division will be leading a number of public awareness campaigns to promote the importance of installing and maintaining at least one working smoke alarm on every storey of a home where a sleeping room is located.
Fire prevention officers will be present at a number of the social events hosted by the district to spread the word about fire safety and “have important face-to-face conversations in a non-emergency setting.”
Saanich Fire Prevention Division also has a fire/life safety home inspection program, where they perform free home visits to assess any hazards residents might be concerned with, including the location, testing and replacement of a smoke alarm and its battery.
Those with further questions about smoke alarms can visit saanich.ca/fire contact the Saanich Fire Department Prevention Division at fireprevention@saanich.ca or 250-475-5500.
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