For Immediate Release / October 4, 2022
Fire Won't Wait. Plan Your Escape: Fire Prevention Week 2022
St. Albert Fire Services is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) —the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for the past 100 years—to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign. The theme for 2022 is: “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.” This year’s campaign, which runs October 9-15, 2022, is focused on the importance of preparing a plan to safely evacuate everyone in your home in the event of an unwanted fire. Fire spreads very quickly and having a plan can save precious time during an evacuation.
“Today’s homes burn faster than ever. You may have as little as two minutes (or even less time) to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Your ability to get out of a home during a fire depends on early warning from smoke alarms and advance planning,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA.
“It’s important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape,” said Michael Bos, Fire Prevention Officer with St. Albert Fire Services. “Everyone needs to be prepared in advance, so that they know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Given that every home is different, every home fire escape plan will also be different. Have a plan for everyone in the home. Children, older adults and people with disabilities may need assistance to wake up and get out. Make sure everyone knows the plan and that someone is prepared to help them.”
Here are some tips for your plan to safely evacuate in the event of a fire:
- Make sure your plan meets the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
- 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 when one sounds, they all sound.
- Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.
- Have an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet.
- Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in the household, including guests. Practice at least once during the day and at night.
Leading into Fire Prevention Week, St. Albert Fire Services will host an Open House at Fire Hall #1 (20 Gate Avenue). In addition to sharing important tips on fire prevention, the event will also include fun activities and an opportunity for children to apply to be a Fire Chief for a Day. The Open House is scheduled for October 8, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Last edited: October 27, 2022