When was the last time you changed the batteries in your smoke detector? North Okanagan firefighters say that if you can’t remember, it’s probably time you changed them.
The reminder comes as Vernon-area firefighters launched a campaign Saturday to check and test smoke detectors at a Vernon mobile home park.
As firefighters went door to door at the 140 unit mobile home park, they found many residents, such as Alexandria Pellerin, did not have properly functioning smoke detectors.
“There was one here before. In 1999 it was put in. it’s not functioning right now so we’re going to replace it with a new one,” said Kim Bolton with Vernon Fire Rescue.
Pellerin says she had no idea her smoke detector wasn’t working.
“I thought it was working. I never had any smoke so I didn’t know if it was working or not,” she said.
And it’s that sentiment that has compelled firefighters to raise awareness about the importance of checking your smoke alarm. Firefighters and volunteers from the Silver Star Rotary Club, which donated smoke detectors to the campaign, tested and, if needed, replaced smoke alarms for residents free of charge.
“Seventy percent of working structure fires people did not have a working smoke alarm. Those are pretty alarming statistics,” said Fire Chief Keith Green of Vernon Fire Rescue.
Green says mobile homes are more susceptible to fire because of the materials they are made of. Unfortunately many people do not test their smoke detectors.
“We know people are very, very busy. Those are the types of things that get missed,” Green said.
Firefighters say batteries in smoke detectors should be changed twice a year.
“We’re telling people when you change your clocks in the fall and in the spring, change your smoke alarm batteries as well,” Green said.
Residents say they’re grateful for the reminder.
“This one here has to be changed,” said Frank Bydlowski, who adds his smoke detector is about 10 years old.
Firefighters hope to expand the smoke detector campaign to other neighbourhoods in Vernon.
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