Fire Prevention Week: October 9-15, 2022
Fire Prevention Week brings awareness to fire risks, striving to educate citizens about fire prevention including how to safely escape their home or building in the event of a fire. It is focused on providing education about the small but important actions people can take to keep themselves and their homes safe from fire.
Since 1922, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has sponsored the public observance of Fire Prevention Week, making this year the 100th anniversary. Edmonton Fire Rescue Services has observed this week of awareness since 1931.
This year, prevention is dedicated to Home Fire Escape Planning – Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.
It is important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape plan, before a fire happens. Make sure your plan meets the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
In your planning, know at least two ways out of every room in your home, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily and have an outside meeting place that is a safe distance away from your home that everyone can get to and know about.
Practice your home fire escape plan with everyone in the household at least twice a year, including one practice during the day and another at night.
How you can participate
This year, Wheatland County Fire and Emergency Services is offering a coloring contest to all students who attend Wheatland Crossing School, Carseland Elementary School and to all Wheatland County rural students who attend classes elsewhere.
Thank you to our generous sponsor Ember Resources, we will be awarding a PS5 gaming console to 3 lucky winners who submit a coloring sheet along with an escape plan.
**Coloring sheet must be accompanied with a home escape plan to be entered into contest** Partial submissions will be disqualified.
One of the most significant details of a home fire escape plan is to be sure smoke alarms are operational – so test them regularly – and installed appropriately.
Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected so that when one sounds, they all sound.
According to NFPA, today’s homes burn faster than ever. Experts say you may have as little as two minutes (or even less) to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds.
Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety
SMOKE ALARMS
Hear a beep, get on your feet! A continuous set of three, loud beeps means smoke or fire. Get out and call 911.
- Install smoke alarms throughout your home, high up on a wall or ceiling.
- Make sure everyone in the home can hear the smoke alarms.
- Smoke alarms and alert devices (also known as accessories) are available for people who are deaf/hard of hearing or for those who are heavy sleepers. Strobe lights or pillow/bed shakers are also available.
- Replace smoke alarm batteries at least once a year.
- All smoke alarms must be replaced with a new smoke alarm after 10 years.
- Never remove batteries or disable alarms.
A working smoke alarm is your first line of defense if there is a fire in your home.
CARBON MONOXIDE SAFETY
Hear a chirp, make a change! A single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds means that the battery is low and must be replaced. Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means that the alarm is at the end of its life and the entire alarm unit must be replaced with a new one.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odourless, colourless and toxic gas. Exposure to CO can cause symptoms such as dizziness, headache, nausea, fatigue, burning eyes, vomiting, and loss of muscle control.
- Install CO alarms in a central location outside each sleeping room as well as on every level of the home.
- Test CO alarms at least once a month and replace them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Replace the CO alarm batteries once a year.
Never remove batteries or disable alarms.
Become Fire Safe
Practice Your Family’s Home Safety Action Plan
Does your family have a Home Fire Safety Action Plan? Consider making the first Saturday of each month “Smoke Alarm Saturday” and remember to create a home fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year. Download NFPA’s Home Safety Action Plan and take some time to work through it with your family.
How to Make an Escape Plan
Seconds are critical during a fire! There is no time to stop and think about an escape route, so knowing what to do before a fire occurs can save your life. Making an escape plan and practicing it with your family is an essential part of fire safety.
For More Information
Wheatland County Fire and Emergency Services
403-361-2182