The Chestermere Fire Service encourages residents to participate in Fire Prevention Week from October 9-15.

For the past 99 years, Fire Prevention Week has helped to educate Canadian families about fire safety. The 2022 theme, as set by the U.S.-based National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), is 'Fire won't wait. Plan your escape.'

According to the NFPA website, 'today's homes burn faster than ever. You may have as little as two minutes (or even less time) to safely escape a home 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.'

Chestermere Fire Services recommends every household develop an escape plan to ensure everyone gets out safe in the event of a fire. 

"During Fire Prevention Week, children, adults, and teachers all learn how to stay safe in case of a fire," says Chestermere Fire Captain Wes Beckner. "This education, provided by firefighters, delivers lifesaving public education in an effort to decrease casualties caused by fires."

Fire Prevention Week starts Sunday, October 9, with an open house at the Chestermere Fire Services building, located at 162 East Chestermere Drive. Residents can visit the fire hall from 10 am to 2 pm, where they can tour a truck, participate in fun activities and visit with the special guest, our own Sparky the Fire Dog!

For additional tools and resources about Fire Prevention Week, visit the City of Chestermere's Fire safety programs webpage at chestermere.ca/firesafety or visit https://www.nfpa.org/fpw.

Information will also be shared from Oct. 9 –15 on the City's Facebook, Instagram and Twitter accounts and using #FirePreventionWeek.