‘Prevent further tragedy’: Fire Prevention Week across Waterloo Region
Posted Oct 8, 2024 04:21:16 PM.
Last Updated Oct 8, 2024 04:21:22 PM.
It takes place every early October; Fire Prevention Week is officially underway across Waterloo Region.
The important week has been bringing knowledge and information to residents across the country since 1922. This year’s campaign is focused on smoke alarms, working to bring attention to how integral they are in keeping people safe.
“About 85 lives have already been lost to fires in Ontario this year. Trying to prevent further tragedy is everyone’s responsibility,” Jessica Buczynski, Fire and Life Safety Educator with the Cambridge Fire Department, said. “We want to make sure that we’re educating and encouraging people to take responsibility for looking after their safety.”
Buczynski says one of the biggest aspects of what can make fires so dangerous is time, with many dying to both the heat and smoke inhalation that stem from fires before they can get out.
“You don’t have a whole lot of time to escape, so we want to make sure that if a fire does happen, that you know that you can evacuate your home quickly.”
She says smoke detectors are one of the most important devices in your house, often being the difference between life and death. She says every home should have them installed in a few key areas.
“We encourage residents to install the smoke alarms in every level of their home outside their sleeping areas. We encourage them to test them monthly by pushing the test button and not to just assume that they’re working. We also encourage to replace smoke alarm batteries at least once a year to check the expiry date is really important as well.”
Fire Prevention Week is set to last through to Oct. 12.
