Plan a Record-Breaking Escape during the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week

October 5, 2022 – The Caledon Fire and Emergency Services encourages all residents to participate in this year’s Fire Prevention Week^TM. from October 9-15, 2022 by creating a fire escape plan. The theme is “Fire won’t wait. Plan Your Escape.”

Today’s homes burn faster than ever. You may have as little as two minutes to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Your ability to get out of a home during a fire depends on early warning from smoke alarms and advance planning.

“It’s important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape, and be prepared in advance, so that they know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Given that every home is different, every home fire escape plan will also be different,” said Deputy Fire Chief Samantha Hoffmann. “Have a plan for everyone in the home. Children, older adults and people with disabilities may need help to wake up and get out. Build that into your plan.” Visit Caledon.ca/FireHomeSafety for more fire escape planning tips.

Record-Breaking Escape Challenge

Caledon Fire, together with the Office of the Fire Marshal, would like to challenge Caledon residents to plan a record-breaking escape on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 at 7 p.m. Challenge your family, friends and neighbours in this fun activity, it could also help save a life. Create a home fire escape plan and put in into action during this challenge! Caledon Fire trucks will drive down the street with their lights and sirens to signify the start of the fire drill. Once you complete your drill visit the fire truck with a copy of your home escape plan and be entered to win a $20 Dairy Queen gift card. You can also meet your firefighters, tour the fire truck and pick up some giveaways for all ages. To download your fire escape plan template, visit Caledon.ca/FireHomeSafety.

Fire truck street visits for the record-breaking challenge are scheduled for:

Hersey Crescent, Bolton
Emily Carr Crescent, Bolton
Field Crest Road, Inglewood
Brawton Drive, Palgrave
Hayleyvale Road, Caledon Village
McEchearn Crescent, Snelgrove

Bolton Co-Operators Insurance has generously donated a Fire Prevention Week kit to the fire department, which includes activities and information for children and adults, providing age-appropriate messages about home fire safety and prevention.

Community Outreach

Learn more about fire safety during Fire Prevention Week. Firefighters will be out in the community during the week of October 9-15, with fire safety displays and to answer questions:

Home Hardware – Saturday, October 8^th @ 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
12833 Highway #50, Bolton

Home Depot – Saturday, October 15^th @ 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
12760 Highway #50, Bolton

Firefighters and a fire truck will be staged outside the main doors to attract attention and converse with the public about the importance of home escape planning.

Firefighters will also visit two libraries to read No Dragons for Tea to children during their programming:

Caledon Village Branch – Thursday, October 13^th @ 10:30 a.m.
18313 Hurontario Street, Caledon

Alton Branch – Tuesday, October 11^th @ 6:30 p.m.
35 Station Street, Caledon

School Outreach

Fire Prevention and Public Education staff will also hold 10 school fire drills in each of the nine fire districts in Caledon, followed by short educational assemblies to help children learn about the importance of fire safety and planning.

According to the Office of the Fire Marshal, of the 96 fire fatalities this year, 50 per cent of them did not have working smoke alarms. Smoke alarms only last for 10 years, even those wired directly into your electrical system. Check the date on your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, then push the button to make sure they are working. Replace immediately if they are older than 10 years or don’t work when tested.

For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and fire prevention in general, please contact (905) 584-2272 Ext. 4303 or visit Caledon.ca/FirePrevention.

– 30 –