The Victoria Fire Department is offering free smoke alarms to residents as part of a province-wide push to protect every home in B.C.

Last year, a study by the University of Fraser Valley and Surrey Fire Services revealed almost 70 per cent of B.C. homes involved in fires did not have functioning smoke alarms.

The study also showed three quarters of 663 fire-related deaths across Canada were the result of smoke alarms that never sounded.

Victoria began implementing the program at the same time as Saanich last October, while Langford has provided free smoke alarms for more than five years.

B次元官网网址淲e carry smoke alarms on every engine and in all of our duty vehicles,B次元官网网址� said Langford Deputy Fire Chief Kerry Zado. B次元官网网址淲henever we respond to a call, we make sure to never leave the house until it has a working smoke alarm in it.B次元官网网址�

Esquimalt and Oak Bay fire departments do not have free smoke alarm programs, but both departments said they respond to residents who request help installing the devices.

Victoria purchased 200 smoke alarms and will assess demand in the coming months, said Fire Prevention Officer Brad Sifert, adding he received 50 phone calls on Tuesday alone.

B次元官网网址淚f callers arenB次元官网网址檛 in our jurisdiction, I just find out the location and send an email to their fire department,B次元官网网址� he said.

Saanich fire crews have installed 110 smoke alarms in nearly 100 homes since October, said Lt. Andrew Collmar.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been very responsive,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淥ur fire chief has dedicated $1,000 to this program (this year), and weB次元官网网址檙e hoping it will be ongoing. Our ultimate goal is to have a smoke alarm in every house.B次元官网网址�

Fire crews are also willing to help residents with optimal smoke alarm placement in their homes.

To learn more or to request a smoke alarm, call the Victoria Fire Department at 250-920-3365 or email bsifert@victoria.ca.

dpalmer@vicnews.com