Fire Prevention Week
Nelson Fire & Rescue has a history of strong Fire Prevention Week programs, winning several awards over the decades. (Drop by for a visit and we'll show you the trophy case!)
Fire Prevention Week (October 9 - 15, 2011)
This is a public education event held across North America, every year. This year the focus is to "Protect Your Family From Fire." Drop by the fire hall (or check out Firepreventionweek.org) to learn what risks to look out for in your home. One of the best ways to protect your family is to ensure you have at least one working smoke alarm in your home. Test yours today and if the battery is more than a year old, replace it.
Community-Wide Fire Drill and Dinner with the Fire Fighters
In the past, in conjunction with cities and fire departments across British Columbia, Nelson Fire & Rescue organized a city-wide fire drill. In a related contest, some lucky youths even won dinner at the fire hall with the Chief and the firemen. We are repeating our efforts this year, encouraging all residents to participate by testing their smoke alarms, following their pre-planned fire escape plan and meeting up with the rest of their household at their designated meeting place. This year the drill will occur October 12, at 6:30 p.m.
To enter our dinner contest, submit a good, home-made "Protecting my family from fire" brochure. Be sure to include your name, phone number, grade, and school. Hard copies can be dropped off at the fire hall, or scanned and emailed to firecontest@nelson.ca
Of those who submit plans prior to 5pm on October 28th, a winner will be selected. The winner will have dinner with the firefighters and show off the winning pamphlets to the Chief himself.
If you are looking for online materials and educational information concerning Fire Prevention Week 2011, you'll find excellent information at the National Fire Protection Association's website.
Free Smoke Alarm or Free Pizza
Our department is also working with Panago's Pizza in another Fire Prevention Week contest. If, between October 9th and the 15th, your Panago delivery is accompanied by a member of the fire department, you may win your entire order! Simply prove you have a properly mounted working smoke alarm in your home and the order is free. If you don't have a working alarm, we will give you one and tell you how to properly mount it in place. Either way, you win!
Building Owners
As of May 1, 2010 the B.C. Fire Code has been updated. This update requires every dwelling, whether owned or rented and regardless of age, to have a properly maintained smoke alarm. It is up to the building owner to supply the alarm (or detector, if a unified system is in place), and those living in the home to ensure that it functions properly.
Alarms 10 years old or greater must be replaced, as they lose sensitivity over time. Some alarms must be replaced sooner (see manufacturer's information for details).
Residents
To ensure your alarm will work when needed, test it monthly and replace the battery at least once per year. Use a vacuum to clean it out once a year, as the insects which invariably wind up inside often cause false alarms.
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