Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere.

Owen Sound Fire and Emergency Services is urging everyone in Owen Sound to LOOK, LISTEN and LEARN about fire safety during this year’s Fire Prevention Week. This year’s theme of Fire Prevention Week, which runs from October 7-13, 2018, is “LOOK. LISTEN. LEARN. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere.”

The theme focuses on three fundamental actions people can take to be fire-safe:

1. LOOK for potential fire hazards around your home. Take action to prevent fire from starting:

a. Always stay in the kitchen while cooking. If you must leave, turn off the stove.

b. Encourage smokers to smoke outside. Always extinguish cigarettes in large, deep ashtrays that cannot be knocked over.

c. Check electrical cords for damage such as fraying or nicks. A damaged cord can expose wires and result in a potential shock or fire hazard.

2. LISTEN for the smoke alarms in an emergency. Make sure everyone knows the sound of the smoke alarms and can hear them in an emergency. Early detection of fire provided by smoke alarms gives you the extra seconds you need to get out safely.

3. LEARN two ways out of every room. Practice a home fire escape plan with everyone in your home before a fire starts so you and your family can get out quickly.

“Everyone has a responsibility to protect their family and home from fire. Prevention is always the best course of action. Identify potential fire hazards in your home and take action to make sure a fire doesn’t start,” said Fire Chief, Doug Barfoot. “Only working smoke alarms give you the early notification of fire and the time you and your family need to safely escape. Many fatal fires occur at night when everyone is asleep, so early warning is crucial to survival.”

The Owen Sound Fire and Emergency Services is hosting Coffee with a Firefighter at McDonald’s Restaurant at the Walmart located at 1555 18th Ave East on Friday, October 12th from 10:00am to 12:00pm in support of Fire Prevention Week and the 2018 fire prevention campaign. The event will include a fire truck on location with fire prevention staff and Deputy Fire Chief to answer your questions on fire safety.

source: media release, City of Owen Sound