Fire Prevention Week is a little over a week away. This week allows the Fire Department to concentrate on fire safety within a house, starting on Sunday, October 6.
Families knowing what to do during an emergency is the main focus. Every household should have an emergency plan in place. Parents should practice fire drills at home so kids know what to do in an emergency.
Fire Chief Jordan Newton says children should know when to call 911 and what their address is.
“This years campaign slogan is ‘Not Every Hero Wears a Cape’ and ‘Plan and Practice Your Escape’. So, what that means is, we urge all residents to plan and practice home fire safety drills with their families.”
Construction changes over the years means that some houses have as little as two minutes to leave a burning house.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, October 8 and 9, from 6 to 8 p.m. firefighters will be performing residential inspections. They will be checking smoke alarms, furnaces and other fire hazards.
Newton says the firefighters will be making recommendations based on previous fires that they have experienced.
“Members of the Fire Department, in uniform with proper identification, will be going door-to-door in neighborhoods. Just giving homes that fire safety tips, answering any questions from the public.”
On Thursday, October 10, Station 2 at 2716 59 avenue by Lakeland College, will be hosting an open house from 6 to 8 p.m.
The hope for this week is to get everyone in the family talking about what to do in an emergency and how to handle it.