The province has approved the continuation of its Safe Family program. Portage Fire Department Chief Brad Bailey says every family should have a smoke alarm.

"This program has been in place for a few years and it's nice to see that the province is going to continue on with it," says Bailey.

He explains the program has an application process for the installation of the device. 

"The campaign is part of an effort to reach out to local residents, including older adults, young people, and residents of neighbourhoods who are vulnerable to fire deaths," says Bailey. "Installing a working smoke alarm in the home would increase the odds of someone surviving a home fire. The National Fire Preventions Act, which is an international nonprofit leader in fire, electrical, and building life safety, and the all-official sponsor of the Fire Prevention Week, says working smoke alarms are the key to saving lives from fires."

He notes a working smoke alarm in your home would increase your chance of survival by 50 per cent. 

"Our project also includes educating residents to have a home fire escape plan so they know what to do if the smoke alarm sounds," adds Bailey. 

Bailey adds the Portage Fire Department is always happy to be part of programs and initiatives like this. 

"Our goal within the City of Portage is to keep our residents safe and our buildings intact," says Bailey. "Programs like this do help save lives and we are happy to be involved with them. There has been an application process in the past, so we should be able to get the applications fairly soon and we will roll them out to the public to apply to get these smoke alarms in their residences."