Practice home fire escape planning during Fire Prevention Week

Kawartha Lakes - Fire Chief Mark Pankhurst is urging families within Kawartha Lakes to practice their home fire escape plan as part of Fire Prevention Week.

Fire Prevention Week runs from October 6 to October 12, 2019. This year’s theme is “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!”. When the smoke alarms sound, everyone must know where to go, that’s why it is so important for everyone to have working smoke alarms and to develop and practice a home fire escape plan.

“In the event of a fire, you may have only seconds to safely escape your home,” stated Pankhurst.  “That is why it is extremely important families plan and practice their home fire escape plan, to make sure everyone can get out safely.”

Fire and smoke can spread quickly, so be prepared in advance with these simple steps for home fire escape planning:

• Assess the needs of everyone in your home. Identify anyone who requires assistance to get out of the home safely, such as small children or older adults, and plan around their needs.
• Make sure you have working smoke alarms on every storey of your home and outside all sleeping areas. You should also make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarm.
• Identify all possible exits (doors and windows) and make sure they are open and are clear of clutter. Always know two different ways out of all areas, if possible.
• Everyone should know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Assign someone to help those who need assistance, identify a safe meeting place outside and call the fire department immediately from a neighbour’s home or cell phone.
• Practice your home fire escape plan. Have everyone participate and make changes to your plan if necessary.

Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue will host a series of events during Fire Prevention Week from October 6 to October 12. 
Bring the whole family and come out and meet your local fire department members!

Fire Prevention Week events:

Toddler Time
Join our public educator as she reads “No Dragons for Tea” at our local Lindsay library. Those who attend will receive a children’s fire hat, get to see a firefighter dress up in firefighter gear and ask questions surrounding fire safety.
When: October 8, 2019 from 10:30am to 11am
Where: Lindsay Library, 190 Kent Street W, Lindsay

Rona and First Alert Canada fire prevention public education event
Visit RONA Lindsay on October 10 for a public education event hosted by RONA and First Alert Canada. There will be a tour of a fire truck, fire prevention tips and first alert giveaways
When: October 10, 2019 from 3pm to 5:30pm
Where: RONA Lindsay, 36 Harvest Street, Lindsay

Family Reading Time
Join our public educator as she reads “No Dragons for Tea” at our local Lindsay library. Those who attend will receive a children’s fire hat, get to see a firefighter dress up in firefighter gear and ask questions surrounding fire safety.
When: October 11, 2019 from 10:30am to 11am
Where: Lindsay Library, 190 Kent Street W, Lindsay

For more information on the events listed above or on Fire Prevention week, please contact:

Kawartha Lakes Fire Rescue Service
fireprevention@kawarthalakes.ca
705-324-5731 extension 545
www.kawarthalakes.ca/fire
 
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