Staying safe involves all
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Updated: October 05, 2009 6:56 PM
It’s Fire Prevention Week in B.C. and this year’s message of Stay Fire Smart, Don’t Get Burned is worthy of emphasis to anyone and everyone.
Even one house fire is too many and it’s worth noting the consequences are devastating for all concerned.
The Office of the Fire Commissioner indicates there were 31 deaths and 138 people injured as a result of residential fires last year.
Although the numbers are on the decline thanks to public education and making smoke detectors mandatory since 1979, it’s still a staggering number of tragedies.
“Fire can spread rapidly in a home and families may have only moments to escape to safety,” said Kash Heed, B.C.’s minister of public safety.
That’s why prevention is the first priority when it comes to surviving a residential fire.
And that starts with making sure the smoke alarm is in working order – and there’s no better time to check on battery power than during Fire Prevention Week.
The other important key to prevention is ensuring family members know what to do if and when an alarm goes off.
That means it’s vital that households have escape plans in place and that all family members, and guests, are aware of the routes.
Many would benefit from testing such a plan and some will be doing just that in various cities throughout the province on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. during a community fire drill.
In any event, it’s important to recognize firefighters as we remind everyone that they also have a role to play in ensuring the safety of all residents.
For more fire prevention advice, please see the two-page spread published in the Oct. 3 edition of the News Bulletin.
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