B.C. Advances Fire-Risk Reduction, Public Education To Save Lives

The province is providing $1.6 million for a new campaign to help educate people about proper smoke-alarm use and reducing fire risks.

“We are taking action to overturn the alarming trend of increasing fire-related deaths in our province,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

“Once a fire starts, people have very little time to get out of their home safely, making a working smoke alarm a critical tool for saving lives. I’m urging everyone to test their smoke alarms at least once every six months to keep their home and family safe.”

The Government is partnering with the BC Injury Research and Prevention Unit (BCIRPU) to promote community fire-risk reduction, including a comprehensive smoke-alarm social media marketing campaign to reduce the number of fire-related injuries and deaths in British Columbia.

In its annual report, the Office of the Fire Commissioner said there were 9,087 fires last year in BC, resulting in 212 injuries and 86 deaths.

Further, a working smoke alarm was present at only 45% of the reported residential structure fires.

The statistics and trends identified in the report help local government fire services effectively allocate personnel and resources to reduce community fire risk, and the number of fires and fire-related injuries and deaths.

To see the full release, visit Government of British Columbia.