Courtenay fire inspector Greg Lamb says the problem with residences not having smoke alarms isn鈥檛 much of an issue - it鈥檚 the fact that many are not being maintained.

鈥淎 lot of the time (smoke alarms) are taken down because they are a nuisance or people have moved in and the battery is old. Even if you have a hardwired one, they have a battery for back-up.鈥�

Any Courtenay resident can get a complimentary battery-powered smoke detector through the department and can get assistance as well to install a hardwired detector.

Next week - Oct. 8 to 14 - is Fire Prevention Week, and the Courtenay fire department is partnering for the second year with Domino鈥檚 Pizza to reward Courtenay residents who have working smoke alarms in their homes with complimentary pizza.

On Oct. 14, when city residents in single family homes, duplexes and townhouses call the Courtenay Domino鈥檚 Pizza (250-334-3333) from 5 to 9 p.m., they may find their pizza delivered with the help of Courtenay firefighters.

With permission, firefighters will arrive by fire truck and inspect household smoke alarms to make sure they are working. Those with functioning smoke alarms will get their pizza for free.

If a home smoke alarm requires new batteries, firefighters will provide and replace the batteries.

The theme of this year鈥檚 Fire Prevention Week is 鈥楨very Second Counts, Plan 2 Ways Out鈥� and focuses on the importance of having two ways out of a home during an emergency, along with the importance of having a working smoke alarm.

Lamb notes the smell of smoke may not wake someone when they are asleep, and working smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and death of a loved one in the event of a fire.

For more information, contact the Courtenay Fire Department at 250-334-2513.