It's fire prevention week: learn about the importance of being prepared

October 9 to 15 is Fire Prevention Week, and this year's focus is on completing and practicing your home escape.

This year, prevention is dedicated to Home Fire Escape Planning – Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape. 

There are activities happening with Wheatland County and the Strathmore Fire Department (SFD).

All week long residents can submit their "Burning Questions" to the SFD via email - Firehall@Strathmore.ca and those will be answered via a video posted on social media later in the week.  In addition to that, on October 14 the SFD will be holding an open house. 

The firehall will be open to visitors from 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Friday to participate in fire prevention activities, review home fire escape plans, and make sure your family is fully prepared in the event of a fire.

“It’s important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape. 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,” said Chief David Sturgeon.

“Have a plan for everyone in the home. Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need assistance to wake up and get out. Make sure that someone will help them."

In making your plan there are a few keys to keep in mind: know at least two ways out of every room in your home, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily and have an outside meeting place that is a safe distance away from your home that everyone can get to and know about.

The Wheatland County Fire and Emergency Services is offering a coloring contest to all students who attend Wheatland Crossing School, Carseland Elementary School and to all Wheatland County rural students who attend classes elsewhere.  Details on this year's contest can be found here. 

After an escape plan has been put in place it is important to practice your home fire escape plan with everyone in the household at least twice a year, including one practice during the day and another at night.

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