As the temperatures start getting cooler and the days get darker, furnaces are getting fired up, the candles are being lit more often and, with the holidays coming, hot stoves, bright electrical lights and roaring fires will accompany.
It makes sense that this is the time of year for fire prevention week, which kicks off Oct. 5 and runs until Oct. 11. It is a week dedicated to keeping the public informed about the importance of fire prevention and was established in 1922 to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire from Oct. 8, 1871.
Jeff Avery is the safety codes officer and a lieutenant with Cochrane Fire Services. He said that each year a different theme is chosen, and this year’s is ‘smoke alarms.’
Avery said they also pick two Cochrane communities to visit during fire prevention week and this year they are going door to door in Riverview and West Valley from Oct. 6 – 10 each evening.
“What we do is we offer to come in and test all of their smoke alarms. If they don’t have a smoke alarm, then we give them an alarm for free and install it for them,” explained Avery, adding that they would be able to provide batteries as well free of charge.
Avery said that a good rule of thumb for changing the battery in your smoke alarm is to do it when you change your clock for daylight savings time.
Avery said that if you need a smoke alarm and you are not located in those communities, just give them a shout and they will stop by.
“Fire prevention week is a great thing, but we are here 365 days a year 24-7,” he said. “We just want the public to know that we’re here and if there are any questions, we’re always at the hall, so if you have any questions you can drop by or give us a call.”
For more information visit cochrane.ca/FireServices or call 403-851-2540.
