42% of people in West K neighbourhood had no smoke alarms

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More than half the residents in a West Kelowna mobile home park did not have working smoke alarms in their homes.

West Kelowna Fire Rescue and personnel from Westbank First Nation recently visited the park, and found those homes did not have a smoke alarm present, or had alarms that were not working, or had expired.

The home-by-home inspection was part of the the Fire Prevention Week campaign, "Not Every Hero Wears a Cape."

Fire officials installed 80 maintenance-free smoke and carbon monoxide alarms for homes without adequate protection, at no cost to the resident.

"Home fires today can burn faster than ever. From the time the smoke alarm sounds, occupants have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely," said fire and safety educator Kelly Wilson.

"Knowing how to use that time wisely takes planning and practice. A home escape plan includes working smoke alarms on every level of the home, in close proximity to all sleeping areas. It also includes two ways out of every room; usually a door and a window with a clear path to an outside meeting place located a safe distance from the home."

If you are unsure about the status of your smoke alarms, contact the West Kelowna Fire Department at 778-797-3200.