23 August 1999

More Smoke Alarms Wanted

A Christchurch City councillor wants to mount a campaign in schools to get more smoke alarms in houses.

Cr Erin Baker told the community services committee yesterday that selected schools should be targeted to see how well such a campaign worked. "We need a new strategy to get alarms into more homes," she said.

The committee was told that the smoke alarm project, an initiative of the previous Mayor, Vicki Buck, had only enough money for five more months’ work.

Only $43,000 was left, the committee was told and it decided to examine the finances of the scheme.

In the scheme’s first year 8640 alarms were installed in 4400 homes.

Cr Barbara Stewart said there was a problem with the renewal of batteries but the project’s co-ordinator, Ellen Loader, said the matter was being looked at and a supply of long-life batteries obtained.

Ellen Loader – 379 5893

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