Make a home escape plan and practice with family members during Fire Prevention Week

In advance of Fire Prevention Week (October 6 to 12, 2019), Port Moody Fire-Rescue encourages you to make a home escape plan and practice with your family. 

“In a typical home fire, you may have a little as two minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds,” says Deputy Fire Chief Kirk Heaven. “It’s important to plan and practice your escape at least twice a year, so that everyone knows what to do in a fire and is prepared to escape quickly and safely. Make sure your home escape plan works for all members of the household, including people who use hearing aids, glasses, walkers, or wheelchairs. 

“As part of your planning process,” continues Heaven, “check to make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of the home, in every bedroom, and near all sleeping areas.” 

An effective home escape plan includes two ways out of every room, usually a door and a window, with a clear path to an outside meeting place (like a tree, light pole, or mailbox). Visit portmoody.ca/firerescue or firepreventionweek.org to download a planning form and to learn more about why home escape planning and practice matter. 

Through education, Fire Prevention Week empowers people to take small steps that can make a big difference by preventing fires and saving lives.