The Calgary Fire Department is reminding residents about the vital importance of having functional smoke alarms, especially in the wake of several destructive fires.

The CFD went door to door to chat with Calgarians and even outfit them with smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors.

The devices were donated to the department by ATCO Gas.

Last year, the CFD responded to over 1,800 fires in which 22 people were hurt and five were killed.

They say that house fires can double in size every 30 seconds, states the CFD says are a sobering reminder of why it’s important to have your home equipped.

Wednesday’s blitz was part of Fire Prevention Week.