The Terrace Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association® (NFPA®)—the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week for more than 90 years—to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week™ campaign, “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety™.” The campaign, which runs October 3–9, works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.
“What do the sounds mean? Is there a beep or a chirp coming out of your smoke or carbon monoxide alarm? Knowing the difference can save you, your home, and your family,” said Lorraine Carli, vice-president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA.
The Terrace Fire Department encourages all residents to embrace the 2021 Fire Prevention Week theme. “It’s important to learn the different sounds of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. When an alarm makes noise—a beeping sound or a chirping sound—you must take action!” said Terrace Fire Chief John Klie. “Make sure everyone in the home understands the sounds of the alarms and knows how to respond. To learn the sounds of your specific smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, check the manufacturer’s instructions that came in the box, or search the brand and model online.”
The Terrace Fire Department wants to share safety tips to help you “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety”:
- A continuous set of three loud beeps from your smoke alarm—beep, beep, beep—means smoke or fire. Get out, call 9-1-1, and stay out.
- A single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be changed.
- All smoke alarms must be replaced after 10 years.
- Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and the unit must be replaced.
- Make sure your smoke and CO alarms meet the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
Due to ongoing COVID-19 precautions, the Terrace Fire Department is not running smoke house tours or the Fire Chief for a Day program this year. However, the Home Safety Program is available now for low-income families and seniors in the community, providing a home visit from the Terrace Fire Department, including inspection and/or installation of a new combination CO/smoke detector. Contact the Terrace Fire Department for an appointment at 250-638-4734 or firehall@terrace.ca.
In addition, the Office of the Fire Commissioner is hosting a poster and video contest for all students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 attending an Indigenous, public, or independent school in the province. The contest deadline is October 22 and there are some fantastic prizes to be won! Details on the contest, including deadlines, rules, and prizes, can be found on the Office of the Fire Commissioners’ website at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/education-programs-toolkits/fire-safety-education-programs/fire-prevention-week.
To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in Terrace, please contact the Terrace Fire Department at firehall@terrace.ca, call 250-638-4740, or visit www.terrace.ca/fire. For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and fire prevention in general, visit www.fpw.org.