If you must smoke, do it safely, because careless smoking is a proven killer.
The Belleville Fire Department unveiled a colorful mural Wednesday at Station 2 on West Moira Street marking
the start of a public education campaign on the dangers of letting cigarettes, or joints (marijuana cigarettes) smolder.
Fire Prevention Officer Jason Williams said that 25% of all fatal fires in Ontario are caused by careless smoking.
Another jarring statistic shows that every five days someone in the province dies due to a burning cigarette.
“Make sure your cigarette butt or joint is completely put out and discarded safely and never ever smoke in bed. That’s the most
dangerous thing a person can do. Many serious fires are caused by burning cigarettes dropping from a person who’s falling asleep.”
Mattresses and furniture upholstery catch and spread fire easily and are difficult to quickly douse. Working smoke alarms in or near bedrooms are mandatory and save lives.
Williams noted the irony of the careless smoking campaign’s beginning on the same morning that a small fire caused by careless smoking occurred on John Street at 3 o’clock.
Belleville Mayor Mitch Panciuk praised the new initiative by the fire department. “Just as important as putting out fires is the prevention of fires and that’s what this campaign is all about.”