Fire Prevention week in the Regional District of Nanaimo

Date Posted: 2023-10-10

Organization Name: Regional District of Nanaimo

Location: Nanaimo

Fire Prevention Week is a nationwide event that encourages Canadians to take the time to learn how they can stay safe in case of a fire. The theme this year is “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention™”. The campaign aims to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safer when cooking. According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries and unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires and deaths.

Cook with caution using these safety tips:

• Never leave cooking unattended. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• If you are simmering, baking or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in your home while food is cooking and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Keep anything that can catch fire such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels and curtains away from your stovetop.
• Never use a microwave or oven as a place for storage.
• If you have a small grease or cooking fire on the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave it covered until it is completely cool.
• For fires in an oven, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
• If you have any doubt about fighting a small fire, go outside, close the door behind you to help contain the fire and call 911. Do not go back inside.
• Create a kid- and pet-free zone of at least 3 feet (1 metre) around the stove and areas where hot food or drinks are being prepared.

Fires in our homes can also be started in other ways including by candles, smoking, electrical issues and portable heaters. To help keep you and your family safe:

• Have a home escape plan that you practice with everyone in your home at least twice a year.
• Test your smoke alarms every month and replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
• Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home and, ideally, outside each sleeping area.
• “Close before you doze.” Sleep with your bedroom door closed to help limit fire spread in the event of a fire in your home.

During Fire Prevention Week, many fire departments across the region are hosting free events for residents to learn how to reduce injuries and deaths caused by fires in their homes, including demonstrations and fun activities for children. Residents can use the RDN’s Fire Protection interactive map to see which fire department serves their area. Residents are encouraged to visit their local fire department’s website and social media pages or contact them directly to find out what activities are happening during Fire Prevention Week.

RDN-operated fire departments, Nanoose Volunteer Fire Department and Coombs-Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting the following activities during Fire Prevention Week:

• Nanoose Volunteer Fire Department firefighters will be providing in-person demonstrations, fire truck tours and other activities for grade 3 students. The department will be hosting four grade 3 classes this year.
• Coombs-Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department firefighters will be hosting an open house on Saturday, October 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fire Hall #2 located at 3241 Alberni Hwy, Qualicum Beach. There will be an educational display, door prizes, hot dogs, fire truck tours and an auto extrication demonstration.

For more information about Fire Prevention Week, visit nfpa.org/fpw. For fire services in the RDN, visit rdn.bc.ca/fire-services.