Fire Prevention Week October 6 to 12, 2024

Fire Prevention Week Approaches, Check Your Smoke Alarms. Attend the Fire Hall Open House. 

Fire Prevention Week (FPW) runs October 6 to 12, 2024. The City of Kenora Fire and Emergency Services is excited to share in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Fire Prevention Week (FPW)  for more than 100 years—to promote this year’s FPW campaign, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!^TM” The campaign works to educate everyone about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home. 

According to NFPA, smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home fire by more than half (54 percent). Meanwhile, roughly three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with either no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. 

“Smoke alarms serve as the first line of defense in a home fire, but they need to be working in order to protect people,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA. “This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign helps better educate the public about simple but critical steps they can take to make sure their homes have smoke alarms in all the needed locations and that they’re working properly.” 

The City’s Fire and Emergency Services encourages all residents to actively support the 2024 FPW theme, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!”. 

"I can't stress enough the importance of maintaining your smoke alarms. It's one of the simplest but most effective ways to protect your family from fire hazards. I encourage everyone to get their family involved, whether it's testing the alarms or understanding the escape plan. Engaging children early fosters fire safety awareness that will last a lifetime,” states Dexter Hupe, Acting Fire Chief.

As families discuss the importance of fire safety, consider these key smoke alarm safety tips and guidelines:

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of the home.
• Make sure smoke alarms meet the needs of all family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month by pushing the test button.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

In addition to Fire Prevention Week, the public is invited to the Fire Hall Open House on Tuesday, October 8, 2024, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 100 Fourteenth Street North! This is a great opportunity for the whole community to come and meet the members of the City’s Fire and Emergency Services team. Everyone is welcome, so come join us for an exciting and informative Open House. No RSVP necessary. 

Bring your family and friends to take a tour of the facilities. There will be fun activities planned for kids, as well as valuable fire safety information and public education materials to take home. Capture memorable photos with the fire truck, and kids will have the chance to sit in the front seat. 

Remember, it’s the law in Ontario to have working smoke alarms on every storey of your home and outside all sleeping areas. Additionally, the City of Kenora Fire and Emergency Service recommends installing smoke alarms inside each bedroom. This comprehensive coverage ensures early detection of fire hazards, providing critical seconds for residents to respond appropriately. 

For further information on fire safety or smoke alarms, please contact the City of Kenora Fire and Emergency Services at 807-467-2090.

Media contact 

Dexter Hupe, Acting Fire Chief
807-467-2107