Oct. 9 to 15 is the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week, and Sturgeon County is partnering with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to celebrate this year’s theme: Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.
This year’s theme focuses on important yet simple actions that can be taken to keep families safe from home fires.
“You may have as little as two minutes from the time the smoke alarm sounds to safely escape a home fire,” said Sturgeon County Manager of Protective Services Pat Mahoney. “You can increase your chances of getting out safely if you plan and practice your escape before an emergency occurs.”
The County and NFPA say in as little as 10 minutes, families can create a home fire escape plan unique to their home and everyone who lives there.
They offer the following tips:
- 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.
NFPA and the County advocate practicing home fire drills at least twice a year, once in the day and once at night with everyone in the household, including guests.
A link to a fire escape template can be found online.
The Town of Morinville will host an open house at the fire hall, a week after Fire Prevention Week but still within Fire Prevention Month on Saturday, October 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
