Heartland 101 October 2017: Fire Prevention Week and Drills
[cs_section id=”” class=” ” style=”margin: 0px; padding: 0px; ” visibility=”” parallax=”false”][cs_row id=”” class=” ” style=”margin: 0px auto; padding: 0px; ” visibility=”” inner_container=”false” marginless_columns=”false” bg_color=””][cs_column id=”” class=”” style=”padding: 0px; ” bg_color=”” fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″][cs_text id=”” class=”” style=”” text_align=””]On average, eight people die each week in Canada due to fires, with 73% of these deaths occurring in residential fires. Fire Prevention Week occurs October 8-4 and the theme this year is “Every Second Counts. Plan Two Ways Out!”
Real world experience, backed up by laboratory testing, has consistently confirmed that residents may have less than three minutes from the activation of their smoke alarm to exit a burning residence. This is due in part to new materials used in house construction as well as furniture and other contents.
Local mutual aid group Northeast Region Community Awareness Emergency Response (NRCAER) joins in the public safety campaign and is helping to highlight the importance of being prepared for, and knowing what to do if a fire takes place. “We typically educate about Shelter in Place safety, and what to do in case of an airborne hazard,” says Brenda Gheran with NRCAER. “However, for Fire Prevention Week, we want to provide residents in our region with these important tips and fire safety reminders.”
Prepare & Practice
- Draw a map of your home, showing two exits from each room and the path outside from each exit to your selected meeting place.
- Fire drill twice a year: one at night and one during the day with everyone in your home, and practice using different ways out.
- Teach children to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.
- Make sure your house number is clearly marked.
- Close doors behind you as you leave – this may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire.
- Once you get outside, stay outside. Never go back inside a burning building.
Check Your Detectors
Test your smoke detectors monthly to ensure they are in working condition. Check the date on detectors, and replace after 10 years.
Connect with NRCAER
NRCAER will be among 20 organizations participating at Life in the Heartland’s next Community Information Evening on October 23 at Pembina Place in Redwater from 5:00-8:30 PM. Residents are invited to attend to hear updates from local industries and organizations.
To register, visit the Life in the Heartland website at: www.lifeintheheartland.com, send an email to: info@lifeintheheartland.com or call or text: 780.232.6875.
For more information about transportation planning and projects in the region, or Life in the Heartland, visit lifeintheheartland.com, follow us on Twitter and Facebook, or email info@lifeintheheartland.com.[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section]