Fire Prevention Week will be celebrated in Canada from October 3 to 9. "It is an opportunity for fire departments to promote fire safety, prevention programs and how to react correctly in the event of a fire," said the Honourable Wes MacAleer, Minister of Community Services and Attorney General.
Provincial Fire Marshal Dave Blacquiere states, "This year's theme - 'Fire Drills: The Great Escape,' is a great way for our fire departments in Prince Edward Island to reinforce the importance of carrying out regular fire drills at home and in the workplace."
The Fire Marshal's Office also recommends that all households regularly review their fire safety practices:
Sit down with your family, plan an escape route and practice a fire drill using your escape route. Always have a second means of escape in case your original route is impassable and have a designated meeting place outside your home where everyone will meet. If a fire occurs in your home, get everyone out and call the fire department from a neighbour's house, never go back into a fire. When the fire department arrives, make sure that someone tells them that everyone is out or not out.
Cooking related fires are the number one cause of fires in the home. Cooking oil or grease fires are the fastest spreading and most destructive. Use appropriate cooking appliances and always keep a pot cover handy. In the event of a grease fire put a lid on it: never use water to extinguish a grease fire.
Make sure that all lighters, matches and combustible materials are kept safely away from children.
Check that you have the right number of smoke alarms; that are all in good working condition and in the correct location. There should be a smoke alarm on every occupied level of your home. Make sure that your smoke alarm is in good working condition; if the smoke alarm is not working, even with a new battery, replace it. Replace the battery in your smoke alarm every six months. A good time to replace your batteries is when the time changes. Install your smoke alarm on either the ceiling or a high part of the wall six inches from the corner (where wall meets ceiling) and follow the manufacturer's operational guide.
Check that fire extinguishers are in good condition and operational, follow the manufacturer's operational guide on the front of the extinguisher.
TAKING THESE STEPS WILL SAVE LIVES.
For more information, contact Dave Rossiter, Fire Safety Officer, Provincial Fire Marshal's Office, at (902) 368-4870.