Firefighters going door to door to teach Newmarket and Aurora residents about emergency escape plans

Firefighters will also remind residents about law regarding working smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

Yorkregion.com
July 19, 2022
Lisa Queen

Don’t be surprised if you get a knock at the door and find firefighters on your doorstep, Newmarket and Aurora residents.

Central York Fire Services has launched its eighth annual Stay Fire Smart campaign, which is running until Oct. 2.

Fire crews are visiting neighbourhoods in Newmarket and Aurora throughout the summer and early fall to educate residents on the importance of having a home escape plan. Visits include reminders about the law to have working smoke alarms on every storey and carbon monoxide alarms outside all sleeping areas in a home.

A home escape plan incorporates: identifying all possible emergency exits; ensuring windows equipped with security bars are fitted with quick releases; planning in advance how to help people requiring assistance such as children, older adults or people with disabilities; identifying an outside meeting place and practising the plan.

Fire crews will travel door to door to talk with residents about how best to prepare in case of an emergency, like a fire or a flood, and provide them with the option of receiving a free home inspection.

“The past two years have taught us that life is full of uncertainty and things outside of our control. When it comes to fire emergencies in our homes, there are steps we can all take to better prepare ourselves and our loved ones to act when the clock is ticking,” Fire Chief Ian Laing said. “We’re grateful to be back in the community with our Stay Fire Smart public service campaign. It’s a great opportunity to put fire safety top of mind for our residents in Newmarket and Aurora to help ensure people have the tools to be proactive and prepared in case of an emergency.”

The campaign began in the summer of 2013 with the goal of visiting every home in Newmarket and Aurora during a five-year period. This goal was achieved in 2017. To date, the fire department has visited 63,173 homes across both communities.

Each residence in Newmarket and Aurora has been visited once and the department is working on the second cycle of the campaign, which was paused in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.