Planning and practicing your escape from a fire is the message this Fire Prevention Week.
North Bay Fire and Emergency Services has a few events lined up, including their ‘Fill A Firetruck’ campaign on Wednesday at Parker’s Your Independent Grocer.
From 10am to 6pm they’ll be accepting donations for the North Bay Food Bank.
Last October the event collected over 1,000 pounds in food donations and over $1,500 in monetary donations.
“Every year during the food drive we are reminded of the generosity of the people of North Bay. We are grateful to Parkers Your Independent Grocer to allow us the opportunity to help the North Bay Food Bank which provides such an important service to our community,” said Fire Prevention Officer Chris Nichol.
Fire officials will also be handing out fire helmets to all children at Thursday’s Battalion game with an open house on Saturday from 10 am to noon at Fire Station one on Princess Street.
Check out the fire trucks, meet local firefighters and Sparky and take away fire safety information.
When the smoke alarms sound, everyone must know where to go – that’s why it is so important for everyone to have working smoke alarms and to develop and practise a home fire escape plan.
“In a fire, you may have only seconds to safely escape your home,” said Fire Chief Jason Whiteley. “Practise your home fire escape plan and make sure everyone can get out safely.”
Fire and smoke can spread quickly, so be prepared in advance with these simple steps for home fire escape planning:
Assess the needs of everyone in your home
– Identify anyone who requires assistance to get out of the home safely, such as small children or older adults
Make sure that you have working smoke alarms on every storey of the home and outside all sleeping areas and check the expiration date
– Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarm
Identify all possible exits (doors and windows) and make sure they work
– Know two ways out of all areas, if possible
Everyone must know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds
– Assign someone to help those who need assistance
– Identify a safe meeting place outside
– Call the fire department from a neighbour’s home or cell phone
Practice your home fire escape plan
– Have everyone participate.

(photo by station staff)

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