Port Coquitlam Fire and Emergency Services is celebrating the 100^th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week, October 9-15, 2022. This year’s theme, “Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape” works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires.

The City encourages residents to plan and practice a home fire escape. Be prepared in advance, to know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds.

Today’s homes burn faster than ever and you may have as little as two minutes (or even less time) to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds. The ability to get out of a home during a fire depends on early warning from smoke alarms and advance planning.

Here are key home fire escape planning tips:

• Make sure your plan meets the needs of all your household 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.
• Check your smoke alarm and change the batteries when required.

The Port Coquitlam Fire and Emergency Services are working to improve home safety by providing free smoke alarms to the most vulnerable in the community. Residents can arrange for a free smoke alarm home visit by a Fire Prevention Officer, who will determine the best locations for a smoke alarm or test existing ones. If a resident requires a new smoke alarm, Fire staff will install and complete a home safety inspection as well. Qualifying residents can sign up online at portcoquitlam.ca/smokealarm.

Port Coquitlam Fire and Emergency Services takes part in Fire Prevention Week each year by educating the community on the year’s theme and conducting elementary school fire drills. For almost 30 years, Port Coquitlam Fire and Protective Services have been going to each elementary school to assist them with a fire drill and to teach students about that year’s message.

As part of the program, Students in kindergarten to grade three can also enter into a draw for a chance to be Captain of the Day or Fire Chief for a Day at portcoquitlam.ca/fpwballot.

As well, students can enter for a chance to win prizes from the Office of the Fire Commissioner by submitting a home fire escape plan. To enter, students can visit gov.bc.ca/FirePreventionWeek.

For more fire safety and prevention tips, visit portcoquitlam.ca/fire or contact the Port Coquitlam Fire and Emergency Services Department at fire@portcoquitlam.ca or 604.927.5466.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Ximena Ibacache
Manager of Communications & Administrative Services
City of Port Coquitlam
Tel 604.927.5499
Email ibacachex@portcoquitlam.ca