It's National Fire Prevention Week, and Portage Fire Department is doing what it can to raise awareness about smoke alarm safety.

Don't wait, check the date is this year's theme, and Deputy Fire Chief Dave Holmes says they are focusing on smoke alarms that are less than 10 years old. Detectors usually last that long, but Holmes says they should be inspected regularly.

"The focus is on getting the information out there and offering free smoke alarm inspections and installations if needed," Holmes says.

Holmes adds having working detectors is important because they're the first line of defence against a fire.

"Especially if we're sleeping," the Deputy Fire Chief says. "During the daytime hour, we normally visually see that fire and can react to that."

"It's these after-hours fires when we're sleeping, when we don't that a fire's began," Holmes continues. "That smoke alarm is really our first early warning to tell us there's a fire and give us that opportunity to get out of the home."

Holmes notes anyone in the City or RM of Portage la Prairie can book an inspection by contacting the Fire Hall.