Improving home safety is as simple as changing smoke alarm batteries, Richmond Fire-Rescue is reminding locals.
The fire department is urging people to test their smoke alarms and replace batteries that are more than six months old. Fire-rescue also suggests that smoke alarms be tested monthly, dusted or vacuumed when batteries are changed twice a year, and be entirely replaced every 10 years to reduce fire risks.
YOUTH DANCERS NEAR PERFORMANCE
Young nimble-toed Richmondites are getting set to take the stage in two performances of Through the Clouds.
The Richmond Youth Dance Company has 21 dancers ages nine to 17 performing in its upcoming production on May 31 at the Richmond Cultural Centre. The show uses dance styles ranging from contemporary to ballet to illustrate the show's theme of suspension and clouds.
The dance company is part of a city initiative to promote youth engagement in the arts and healthy lifestyles. Tickets for the 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. performances are available at the Cultural Centre or by calling 604-247-8300.
CAR THEFT NUMBERS DOWN
B.C.'s Bait Car Program has reached its 10th anniversary, and to celebrate, auto crime stoppers have released statistics showing its success.
Auto theft dropped by almost 50 per cent in 2011 compared to the year before, while break-ins were down by 15 per cent. Since the Bait Car Program was first launched in 2003, auto theft has gone down by 75 per cent in Richmond and about the same amount province-wide.
That's a decrease from 720 Richmond-based stolen vehicle reports in 2003 to 180 in 2011, but break-ins still numbered at 760 last year. There were 1,440 break-ins during the year the program first launched.
