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Working smoke alarms can make a life-saving difference in a fire says Environment, Labour and Justice Minister Janice Sherry.

“Fire Prevention Week takes place October 5-11 and this year’s theme is Alarmed and Ready - Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives,” said Minister Sherry. “The Island Fire Service and Provincial Fire Marshal’s Office are joining forces with the Insurance Bureau of Canada to remind Islanders about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home and testing them monthly.”

Working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire in half. Meanwhile, almost two-thirds of home fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada has generously donated working smoke alarms and batteries to the Island Fire Service. Island Fire Departments will be having open houses during Fire Prevention Week and distributing working smoke alarms and batteries to Islanders who need them. Check with your local Fire Department for information on how you can get a working smoke alarm and batteries.

The Fire Marshal’s Office offers the following tips regarding working smoke alarms:

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.

• In new construction, interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. This way, when one sounds, they all do.

• Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.

• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old, or sooner if they don’t respond properly.

• Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarm and understands what to do when they hear it.

“In a fire, seconds count. Roughly half of home fire deaths result from fires reported at night between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep,” says Provincial Fire Marshal Dave Rossiter. “Home smoke alarms can alert people to a fire before it spreads, giving everyone enough time to get out.”

For more information on fire prevention, contact your local fire department, email publicsafety@gov.pe.ca or contact the Provincial Fire Marshal`s Office at (902) 368-4869. Follow the Office of Public Safety on Facebook and Twitter @peipublicsafety.