With the arrival of this year's Fire Prevention Week, the Bowden Fire Department is encouraging residents to "Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware." What does that mean?
Home fires today can burn faster than ever. Occupants may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Knowing how to use that time wisely takes planning and practice.
The Bowden Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) -- the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 90 years -- to promote this year's Fire Prevention Week campaign: Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere. The campaign works to educate the public about basic but essential ways to quickly and safely escape a home fire.
Data from Statistics Canada show that the number of structure fires declined by 26 per cent between 2005 and 2014. However, residential fires consistently accounted for roughly six of every 10 structural fires during that period. According to Statistics Canada, cooking equipment and smokers' material caused about six of every 10 residential fires.
Working in the fire service for many years we know that people often make choices in fire situations that jeopardize their safety or even cost them their lives. We need to do a better job of teaching people about the potentially life-saving difference escape planning and practice can make and motivate them to action.
The year's campaign, Look. Listen. Learn., highlights three steps people can take to help quickly and safely escape a fire:
* Look for places fires could start.
* Listen for the sound of the smoke alarm.
*Learn two ways out of every room.
While the NFPA and Bowden Fire Department are focusing on home fires these messages apply to virtually any location.
Situational awareness is a skill people need to use wherever they go. No matter where you are look for available exits. If the alarm system sounds take it seriously and exit the building immediately.
For more information about Fire Prevention Week and home escape planning visit www.firepreventionweek.org
Larry Werner is the district fire chief for Red Deer County Stn. 7 Bowden
