This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme is focused on making sure smoke detectors are always in top-notch condition.
Fire Prevention Week runs October 6–12.
This year's campaign, 'Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!' aims to educate everyone about the importance of having working smoke alarms in the home.
"It's one of those things that you can get a bit complacent with," said Darrick Graff, deputy fire chief for the City of Lacombe.
"It's a part of your home, and you get really used to your environment. You don't utilize it of course unless it's required - so people do get accustomed to it just being a part of their homes, and they can forget about them."
Graff said the department advocates that when it comes time to 'spring forward' and 'fall back' each year, those are excellent times to check the batteries in smoke detectors as well.
"They also have a 10-year shelf life," he said. "You just have to press the test button it - it's super-fast to make sure it's functioning as designed.
"The old adage is that smoke alarms save lives, and they really do. If you don't have a smoke detector that is activated during a fire in the home, you will be behind the eight ball with evacuating," he said.
With home construction these days, things have indeed come a long ways with smoke detectors, as they are often now inter-connected on each floor of a house. They are typically now installed in each bedroom as well, he said.
But the minimum - for any home old or new - is to have at least one on every level, he said.
And just because home engineering in many ways has improved over the years in connection to fire safety, it doesn't mean people shouldn't be vigilant.
"A misconception today is that fires are burning 'hotter' - they aren't typically burning hotter than they have in the past, but they are reaching those (high) temperatures much faster than what we have seen before," Graff said, referring to some common building materials that can be utilized these days.
All the more reason to make sure smoke detectors are in working order, he said.
Graff also noted that the department is holding an open house on Oct. 8 at the Lacombe station for Fire Prevention Week.
The evening, which gets underway at 7 p.m., will feature demonstrations utilizing smoke detectors. There will also be a chat about the importance of 'Close before you Doze', or ensuring one's bedroom door is closed before falling asleep.
The reason? The more you can separate yourself from a fire, the better your chances of surviving.
Graff said it's surprising what even a low-cost door can do in helping to keep smoke and toxic gases out of a bedroom.
"During the open house, we will also be touching on cooking safety, and we will have fire extinguisher demonstrations set up as well," he said, adding there will also be a talk about the development of home escape plans.
"I know that the theme is about smoke detectors this year, but we will be grabbing from a few different avenues," he said.
"We will have a full evening on Oct. 8th, and we will be happy to answer any questions, distribute material, and provide the demonstrations."
For further information, email lfd@lacombe.ca, head to the City of Lacombe website, follow the department on Facebook, or call the station directly at 403-782-1230.
According to the City of Lacombe, the Lacombe Fire Department was established in 1907.
"The department is comprised of a full-time fire chief and deputy fire chief along with half-time administrative support staff. Operations of the department include a paid-on-call deputy fire chief and are comprised of four platoons, each platoon is made up of a captain, lieutenant, and 10 firefighters and all share on an on-call rotation that provides 24/7 coverage."
The department responds to on average of 300 calls for service each year,
According to the National Fire Prevention Association, Fire Prevention Week is observed during the week of Oct. 9th in commemoration of the Great Chicago Fire, which began on Oct. 8, 1871, and caused devastating damage.
"This horrific conflagration killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres of land."
