Prince George, BC – With the overnight time change, the Fire Chiefs’ Association of BC is reminding BC residents that it’s a good time to check your smoke alarms and change the batteries.

Data from the Office of the Fire Commissioner shows that in 11-thousand residential fires between 2006 and 2011, almost 70-percent of the fire scenes examined either had no smoke alarm, or the smoke alarm was not working.  In 2012, the Attorney General and Fire Chiefs’ Association launched a provincewide smoke alarm awareness campaign to combat those statistics, with the goal being to have a working alarm in every household in BC.

Entering its second year, almost 50 communities have partnered with fire service personnel and local organizations to try and achieve that goal."

Fire Chiefs’ Association President, Len Garis, says, "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," says Garis.  "But to remember that regular smoke alarm testing and cleaning, along with replacing tghe batteries every year will go a long way in keeping everyone in their household safe."