Fire Prevention Week to take place October 5-11, 2008
Prevent Home Fires
Released: 10:00 a.m.
NEWS @ A GLANCE:
October 5-11, 2008 is Fire Prevention Week in Canada. This year’s theme is “Prevent Home Fires”, and fire services across the nation will be spreading the word about the dangers of fire, and what you can do to make your home safer. (for more details, please read the full media release below) |
WINNIPEG - October 6, 2008 – October 5-11, 2008 is Fire Prevention Week in Canada. This year’s theme is “Prevent Home Fires”, and fire services across the nation will be spreading the word about the dangers of fire, and what you can do to make your home safer.
“Fire Prevention Week provides us with an opportunity to remind people of the dangers of fire and to reinforce the importance of being fire safe day in and day out,” said Jim Brennan, Chief, Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service. “This week we remind all homeowners to check the condition of their smoke alarms to see if they are operating properly. If the alarms are more than 10 years old they should be replaced. Every home should have working smoke alarms, a fire extinguisher, and a fire escape plan in case of emergency.”
The kick-off to Fire Prevention Week takes place Monday, October 6 at 10:00 a.m. at the Millennium Library.
Following the official launch, the Winnipeg Fire Department has a number of activities planned to mark Fire Prevention Week 2008, including:
- All week - Fire Safety information booths at several Canadian Tire retail outlets
- Themed “Prevent Home Fire” safety messages all week long including: kitchen cooking and fire safety; electrical outlets; smoke alarms and fire extinguishers; family escape plans.
- Friday Oct. 10- Launch of Home Hazard Interactive Theatre at the Children’s Museum 11:00 am; and City-wide Fire drill (elementary schools and fire stations) 1:00 pm
- Saturday, October 11, Noon – 4:00 pm - Public open house at local Fire Stations throughout the city
In addition to these events, fire safety tip bookmarks have been produced and will be distributed through all Winnipeg Public Libraries and through McNally Robinson and Chapters book stores.
Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, the tragic 1871 inferno that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began on October 8, but continued into and did most of its damage on October 9, 1871.
For more information visit Fire Prevention Canada at http://www.fiprecan.ca/ or the National Fire Protection Association at http://www.nfpa.org/. |
