October 7, 2022

MOOSE JAW – “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.” That is the theme of Fire Prevention Week, October 9-15, 2022, and the Moose Jaw Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association to celebrate the 100^th Anniversary of Fire Prevention Week.

The goal of this year’s campaign is to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires.

“In a house fire you may have as little as two minutes to safely escape from the time the smoke alarm sounds,” said Cathie Bassett, Public Education Officer for the Moose Jaw Fire Department. “It’s important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape, and given that every home is different, every home fire escape plan will also be different.”

The Moose Jaw Fire Department wants residents to remember these key home fire escape planning tips:

• Make sure your plan meets the needs of all your 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 interconnected so 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.
• Have 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 at night.

The Moose Jaw Fire Department is proud to host two full days of fire hall tours (October 12 and 14) for students from several schools in the Prairie South and Holy Trinity Catholic School divisions in support of Fire Prevention Week.

For more information about Fire Prevention Week and fire prevention in general, visit fpw.org and sparky.org.