WEST KELOWNA, B.C. – Expired smoke detectors or none at all: this is what firefighters found in many homes Tuesday evening as they went door to door in mobile home parks in West Kelowna.
“We know that most of these homes that were built prior to 1980 never had a smoke detector installed when they were built,” says West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund. “We’re here to offer these people a life line, which is what a working smoke alarm is.”
Identifying 115 mobile homes that could be at higher risk for fire, crews offered their help. They tested existing safety equipment as well as installed replacements for deficient equipment. Firefighters placed free dual smoke and carbon monoxide detectors with 10-year lithium batteries near bedrooms in the mobile homes.
The campaign for Fire Prevention Week is “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep.”
“We know that fires in mobile homes can be particularly devastating,” says Brolund. “They spread fast and the risk of people being trapped by fire is higher in a mobile home.”
Residents were glad to see firefighters at their door Tuesday night.
“It’s overwhelming that they’d go out of their way to do this,” said Brian Klassen.
Residents who weren’t home will find a note on their door for information to obtain a free inspection and detector upgrade.
The initiative took place in partnership with the District of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation
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