Fire Prevention Week

As Fire Prevention Week 2017 wraps up this weekend, it’s worth a reminder to all local residents that it’s always a good time to formulate and practice a home fire escape plan.

The theme for the week, which runs from Oct. 8 to 14, is “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!”

As fire officials pointed out in their promotion material for the week, “Fire and smoke move faster than you,” and “There’s no time to figure out how to escape your home after a fire starts.”

Fire departments and the Ontario Fire Marshal’s office have been urging such preparations for years and they, along in many cases with local schools, have done a great job of promoting the practice.

At our house, we have such a plan largely because one of our children came home from school a few years back with an assignment to get the family involved in creating one. It turned out to be a fun learning exercise for the whole clan.

Along a similar vein, Minto firefighters are hosting a “Spook-tacular Superhero Party” for local families participating in Minto Fire’s Fire Prevention Week home escape plan activity. From 7 to 9pm from Oct. 10 to 12 firefighters travelled around the community to answer fire safety related questions and practice escape plans with families.

Fire Prevention Week officially ends on Oct. 14 and the biggest related event in Mapleton is set to take place that day.

Mapleton Fire Rescue is hosting its annual Fire Prevention Day and Pancake Breakfast at the PMD Arena Complex from 7 to 11am.

A fire safety house, junior firefighter competition, demonstrations, giveaways and a meet and greet with Sparky the Fire Dog will all be part of the event. Attendees are encouraged to bring a donation toward fire prevention programs.

In addition to being a fun way for families to spend some time together, the  event offers local residents another chance to pick up some information that may help save lives.

Mix that with pancakes and syrup and you have the recipe for a can’t-miss event.