Spruce Grove Fire Service reminds residents “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.”

Spruce Grove Fire Services is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association to celebrate the 100^th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week (FPW) from October 9-15, 2022. This year’s theme, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape”, works to educate children and adults about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires. 

“Today’s homes burn faster than ever,” said Lorraine Carli of the National Fire Prevention Association. “You may have as little as two minutes, or even less, to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Your ability to get out safely during a fire depends on early warning from smoke alarms and advance planning.”

Spruce Grove Fire Services encourages all residents to embrace the 2022 Fire Prevention Week theme.

“It’s important for all families to plan and practice their home fire escape,” said Chief Robert Kosterman of Spruce Grove Protective Services. “Everyone needs to be prepared in advance, so that they know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Given that every home is different, every home fire escape plan will also be different. Make a plan for everyone in the home. Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need assistance to safely get out. Make sure that everyone is accounted for, and those who need some extra assistance can get it.”

Spruce Grove residents are encouraged to build a home fire escape plan using the following key planning tips:

• Make sure your plan meets the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
• Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Smoke alarms should be connected so that when one sounds, they all sound.
• Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible.
• Make sure all doors and windows open easily and keep escape routes clear of snow, ice and trees/shrubs.
• Coordinate an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet.
• Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in the household, including guests. Practice at least once during the day and once at night.

Find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in Spruce Grove. For more information about Fire Prevention Week and general fire prevention information, visit www.fpw.org and www.sparky.org.