A Have an idea for a story? Minews@theotherpress.ca ¢ Fire related fatalities on the rise in BC ¢ Large Halloween gatherings defended by the public opinion e Restrictions increase in BC despite data ..and more Fire related fatalities on the rise in BC » How to protect yourself and your home this winter Jessica Berget Assistant Editor ith the rise of residential and building fire reports in the Metro Vancouver area over past few months, now is a great time to time to talk about fire safety and prevention. As more people stay indoors because of the colder temperatures and COVID-19 stay-at-home regulations, the risk of accidental house and building fires has been increased. In fact, fire related fatalities are already on the rise in BC, with 15 deaths so far this year—three COVID-19 update » Restrictions increase in BC despite data Timothy Easling Senior Columnist he narrative in many news stories, as well as the government’s own messaging, continues to highlight case numbers despite the total deaths remaining relatively low. While there have been 578 deaths since October 25, almost 96 percent of those (552) are from those 60-and-up—often in long term care homes (LTCs), acute care, or assisted living, and with multiple comorbidities. There is still a risk for those of advanced age and weakened states, but the general population can continue forward knowing there is little reason for the average Canadian to be afraid of dying from COVID-19. Countrywide from October 25 to November g, the 0-39 age bracket suffered 1 additional death, the 40-49 age bracket, g, and the 50-59 age bracket, 16. These numbers are further put into perspective when considering how massive the case numbers are in relation to the few deaths. The 0-39 age bracket saw 29,377 more cases, the 40-49 age bracket had 7,463 more, the 50-59 age bracket observed 6,708 more, and the 60+ age bracket recorded 9,521 more. Just from the last two weeks of cases, the fatality rate for each bracket was 0.003 percent (0-39), 0.12 percent (40-49), 0.23 percent (50-59), and 6 percent (60+). As evident from the relatively low death toll, hospitalization figures remained steady—and with almost none of them (again, for those not of advanced age and weakened states) resulting in death. Almost 77 percent of hospitalizations were from the 60+ age bracket (2,669 more) with the lower age brackets registering small totals: 0-39—272 more, 40-49—195 more, 50-59—335 more. ICU admittances remained much the same with there only being 251 total. Of those 251, 73 percent (184) were from the 60+ age bracket. The remaining 67 cases were split among the lower age brackets: 0-39—17, 40-49—z21, and 50-59—29. British Columbia suffered 25 deaths from 6,160 cases since October 25. The population of the province is 5,147,712. In spite of the figures from across the country and in BC, Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry issued a two-week health order (until November 23) to the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions. The order banned all social gatherings with people who are not a part of one’s household as well as indoor group physical activities where physical distancing cannot be maintained; travel outside of the regions is also strongly discouraged. All 24 outbreaks in Fraser Health are in LTCs, acute care, or assisted living; times as many as 2019—according to CBC. In comparison, for an average year Vancouver sees four fire related deaths and 49 injuries. Jonathan Gormick, public information officer for the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services, says this rise in deaths could be related to the pandemic and more distractions with people working from home. “They might start to cook a meal and then get distracted by work or schooling or any number of those things— and that’s when fires occur.” This year, firefighters also dealt with a 17 percent increase in indoor fires and 20 percent increase for outdoor for the past two months. They ask people to regularly check their smoke alarms; according to a 2019 news release by the province of BC, there was no working smoke alarm for 43 percent of fire related deaths. It is also recommended to test your alarms every month and changing the batteries every year, and to have an emergency preparedness plan in the case of a fire. The province of BC also states in the news release that the most common causes of fire to look out for include cooking related equipment or leaving cooking unattended, matches or lighters and other the same goes for all nine outbreaks in Vancouver Coastal Health. There are u current public exposure notices for Fraser Health and zero for Vancouver Coastal Health. The order brought much confusion to BC residents—as well as both authorities. Vancouver Coastal Health said “The Provincial Health Order in effect (dated Nov. 7) applies to social gatherings inside private residences, & receptions following weddings & funerals. All other outdoor gatherings can continue according to pre-existing Public Health guidelines & previous Orders,” while Fraser Health offered a contradictory statement, “Provincial health orders now in effect until November 23 require that residents of Fraser Health avoid gatherings of any kind with anyone outside of your immediate household.” smoking materials, as well as space heaters and other heating equipment. According to another 2003 to 2007 study by the public safety division of Alberta Municipal Affairs (which was based on fire incident data in Canadian provinces), some other causes of home fires are candles, faulty electrical wiring in your house, smoking, and drying machines. The same study found that people over the age 75 are more at risk of dying in home fires. According to the City of Vancouver, a fire related death happens in North America every 80 minutes and someone is treated for burns every 15 seconds; it is crucial to have a fire safety and evacuation plan. Some aspects of a safety plan include drawing a floor plan with two exits for every room, choosing a meeting place that is a safe distance from your home, and calling gu once everyone has reached the meeting place. They also recommend practising evacuation activities like staying low to the ground to the avoid smoke fumes, feeling doors for heat before opening them, and getting out immediately after hearing a fire alarm. Illustration by Janis McMath Many associations, including the West Vancouver Minor Hockey Association— which has seen zero cases—have been critical of the order (but still compliant). There are more than 20,000 kids playing hockey in the Lower Mainland and zero cases. “The decision to include Minor Hockey in the closure of indoor sports is not based on the facts: of how the sport is organized, how we've been putting into place protocols to safeguard our players, our children from the pandemic and most importantly that there has been no transmission of the virus within the environment of minor hockey in the Lower Mainland. It seems to be a bit of a knee- jerk reaction to include a sport that has a track record of really not being a situation where the virus has been transmitted,” said the president of the league, Tom Oberti.