Fire Prevention Week: Guelph fire department urges you to plan two ways out

Across Ontario this is Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 8-14.

This year’s theme is ‘every second counts. Plan two ways out.’

An escape plan should include two ways out from every room in your home, that usually means a door and a window.  Remember to keep all exits free of clutter.  For more information on home escape planning and fire prevention week visit www.fpw.org

The number one cause of house fires across the province is careless cooking.  Matt Valeriote is the assistant chief fire prevention officer with the Guelph Fire Department and he says it’s so important that people remember to keep an eye on the stove.

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“A fast, pre-planned escape is critical to survival,” says Valeriote. “There are no second chances in a fire. If a fire happens you need to be out of your home when the firefighters arrive. And once out, stay out.”

The Guelph Fire Department recommends the following fire safety tips:

• Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button. Consider vulnerable family members, friends and neighbours who may need assistance maintaining and testing their smoke alarms.
• Change the batteries once a year.
• Replace smoke alarms within the time frame indicated in the manufacturer’s instructions or if they don’t sound when tested.
• Develop and practice a home fire escape plan with everyone in your household. Know the two ways out of each room, if possible.
• Determine who’s going to help young children, older adults, people with disabilities or anyone else who needs help escaping.
• When the smoke alarm sounds, get out and stay out. Go to your meeting place outside your home.
• Call 9-1-1 from outside the home.

Take the Fire Prevention Week Quiz to  test your fire safety knowledge – NOW

For fire safety tips and resource sheets visit the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Mark your calendars:

Guelph’s Fire Department is holding its annual Fire Prevention Day on Saturday, Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Home Depot, 63 Woodlawn Rd. West.  Residents can learn more about fire safety in the home through educational family-oriented activities.   There will be activities inside and outside for residents to take part in including an inflatable fire safety house, learning out to put out a cooking fire and how to make an escape plan.  Sparky the dog will also be making an appearance at the event.