Snoqualmie firefighters give fire safety talks at local schools

Half of residential home fire deaths occur between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., when residents are asleep – an important reminder to “HEAR THE BEEP WHERE YOU SLEEP”.

Working smoke alarms save lives, reduce fire-related injury, reduce the spread of fires, and reduce the damage of fires. An online questionnaire distributed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) showed that less than half (42 percent) of approximately 36,000 respondents did not know that a smoke alarm should be installed in each bedroom of the home.

West Kelowna Fire Rescue, serving the City of West Kelowna and West Bank First Nation, is committed to ensuring all residents are protected by a working smoke alarm.

In recognition of Fire Prevention Week October 4-10, the Kindergarten students at St. Joseph/St. Robert School in Warrington had the opportunity to learn about fire safety from members of the Warrington Fire Company. About two-thirds of home fire deaths were the result of fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. This is the 24th year that Milwaukee firefighters have gone door-to-door to check for working smoke alarms and to offer fire safety tips in the neighborhoods they serve.

Which is why the American Red Cross as well as local firefighters in our area want to make sure everyone knows fire safety is a community issue.

Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.

Test all smoke alarms at least once a month.

When the smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside. Photoelectric alarms are quicker to warn about smoldering fires. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.