Fire safety will be in the spotlight this Saturday during a free event held at the West End Community Centre.
Put on by the Guelph Fire Department (GFD), the annual Fire Prevention Day activities run from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Imperial Road South facility.
The event is aimed at helping people learn about fire safety practices. It will include an interactive, inflatable fire safety house and live demonstrations of the speed at which fire spreads through a furnished home.
“Today’s homes burn faster than ever. In a typical home fire, you may have as little as two minutes — or even less time — to safely escape from the time the smoke alarm sounds,” said Gord Herbert, fire prevention officer, in a news release. “Your ability to get out depends on early warning from working smoke alarms and advance planning.”
Sparky the fire safety dog mascot will also be on hand to meet children.
Oct. 9 to 15 is Fire Prevention Week, which this year is focused on planning and practicing safe home escapes. With that in mind, GFD offers the following safety tips:
- Make sure your home escape plan meets the needs of all individuals living there including those with sensory or physical disabilities
- Make sure all doors and windows open easily
- Have an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet and call 911 from this location
- Practice your home fire escape plan at least twice a year with everyone in the household, including guests
- Install smoke alarms on every storey of the home, outside all sleeping areas, and for added protection, in every bedroom.
Oct. 9-15 is Fire Prevention Week. Plan a record breaking fire escape with your family. #FireSafetyFriday pic.twitter.com/IbaSOHuBTI
— Guelph Fire Department (@GuelphFire) October 7, 2022
