The Ramara Fire and Rescue Services is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®) – the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week (FPW) for more than 100 years – to promote this year’s FPW campaign, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!” The campaign, which runs from October 6 to October 12, works to educate everyone about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home.
According to NFPA, smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by more than half (54 percent). Meanwhile, roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
“Smoke alarms serve as the first line of defence in a home fire, but they need to be working in order to protect people,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA. “This year?s Fire Prevention Week campaign helps better educate the public about simple but critical steps they can take to make sure their homes have smoke alarms in all the needed locations and that they?re working properly.”
The Ramara Fire and Rescue Services encourages all residents to actively support the 2024 FPW theme, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!” “Working smoke alarms can make a life-saving difference in a home fire, giving people the time to get out safely,” said Tony Stong, Fire Chief “This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign is a great way to remind everyone about these messages and to act on them.”
Ramara Fire and Rescue Services offers these key smoke alarm safety tips and guidelines:
- Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of the home.
- Make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
- Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
Ramara Fire and Rescue Services is hosting an Open Fire House on Wednesday, October 9, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to support of this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign. Residents can join in on the fun at any of the three Fire Stations:
- Station One is located at 3290 County Road 47 in Brechin.
- Station Two is located at 85 Patricia Drive in Atherley.
- Station Three is located at 7305 Simcoe County Road 169 near Washago.
To find out more about FPW programs and activities in Ramara, please Ramara Fire and Rescue Services at 705-484-5374 ext. 253 or email fire@ramara.ca. For more information about Fire Prevention Week and smoke alarms, visit fpw.org.