This October marks the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week

Take the time to map out your escape plan for you and your family, writes Andrew Zvanitajs

Yorkregion.com
Oct. 3, 2022

This October marks the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week, an opportunity for Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service (VFRS), and fire departments across North America, to share vital fire safety information and encourage families to practice fire safety.

The theme this year is “Fire won’t wait. Plan Your Escape!”

A home escape plan should include the layout of your home, the escape routes from each room and a meeting place outside. It’s an easy and important activity to complete with all members of your household, so everyone knows what to do when the smoke alarm or carbon monoxide alarm sounds.

You can start by drawing a floor plan for each level of your home, including all walls, doors, windows and stairs. Next, mark at least two exits from every room. If a fire is blocking the main exit, such as the door, you need another way out, like a window.

Consider buying a fire escape ladder for second- or third-storey windows. You can purchase these ladders at your local hardware store.

If anyone in your home requires help getting to safety in an emergency, such as infants, young children, older adults or people with disabilities, decide who will assist them. VFRS offers a free voluntary Vulnerable Persons Registry for people who are elderly or have a medical, mental health or physical condition that would require special assistance.

Visit vaughan.ca/VulnerablePersonsRegistry for more information and to fill out the application to be added to the list.

Choose a place outside where everyone will meet and wait for the fire department to arrive. It could be a street sign, community mailbox or tree in a neighbour’s front yard. A meeting place allows you to count everyone and inform firefighters if anybody is still inside.

Never go back into a burning building for any reason.

If you live in a high-rise apartment or condo, inquire about the building’s safety plan. When creating your escape plan, include the locations of stairways, fire alarm pull stations, fire extinguishers, and a meeting place outside of your building.

The final and most crucial part of the plan is practicing it. In an emergency, you may only have a few minutes to escape safely, so everyone must know what to do and where to go when an alarm sounds.

If someone new comes to stay in your home, teach them about the plan and practice it together.

While Fire Prevention Week is an annual event, practicing your escape plan and following fire safety tips should always be top of mind.

To learn more about fire prevention and how to help keep your family safe, visit vaughan.ca/fire.

Andrew Zvanitajs is the fire chief of the Vaughan Fire and Rescue Service.