38 —- Wednesday, October 5, 1994 — North Shore News

i i

Smoke detectors save lives if they are working

FIRE PREVENTION Canada (FIPRECAN) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) have joined together for this year’s national commemoration of Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 9 to 15. The 1994 theme is Test Your Detector

Fire Prevention Week is recog- nized every October during a weck that includes Oct. 9, the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.

Fire departments across Canuda utilize this commemoration as a means to increase public awareness of the dangers of fire and the ways

we can protect ourselves from it.

“Smoke detectors are powerful tools for saving lives,” said FIPRECAN president Rich Morris, “but they have to be operating to protect us.”

To make sue your smoke detec- tors will effectively warn you of

When fire strikes, there’s no time to think. So do your thinking now.

A fire can happen in an instant. Make sure you map out a home escape plan and practise it regularly so it becomes second nature. Because thinking ahead will save your life and the life of someone

you love.

For a Plan To Get. Out Alive booklet or more information visit a McDonalds Restaurant near you or contact your local fire department.

smoke and fire in your home, -

FIPRECAN recommends testing the devices at least once a month.

In battery-operated units, install fresh batteries at least once a year. In addition, if you think your smoke detectors are more than 10 years old, replace them with new ones. :

Every home needs the protection of working smoke detectors, so the Test Your Detector For Life theme reinforces the need to keep smoke detectors operating and emphasizes the life-saving potential working smoke detectors offer.

“We want Canadian families to be well protected from fire” said Morris. “Operating smoke detectors are certainly our first line of defense.”

In addition to having working smoke detectors, FEPRECAN rec- ommends planning and regularly practising a home escape plan; installing automatic residential fire

sprinklers in your home; and using caution with smoking materials.

“A smoke detector with a dead battery is more dangerous than no smoke detector at all,” Morris points out. “It gives you a false sense of security.”

“I hopé this. year’s Fire’ Prevention Week campaign will . help remind people to test their smoke detectors every month to keep them working so they will provide early warning if a fire breaks out.” .

With a mission to achieve a fire safe environment for Canadians through education, Fire Prevention Canada, a non-profit charitable organization, is dedicated to pro- viding Canadians with dynamic leadership and a national focus in the field of fire prevention.

Fire Prevention Canada dnd its partners in fire prevention can make 2 substantial reduction in the annual fire loss statistics for Canada.

WEST VANCOUVER FIRE DEPARTMENT | SERVING THE COMMUNITY

RESPONDS TO:

* ALL FIRE RELATED EMERGENCIES

« FIAST RESPONSE MEDICAL AID Heart attack, collapse, trauma, etc. ¢ MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS Fire extinguishment and prevention; extrica- tion, atc. * RESCUE AND SAFETY CALLS Trapped in elevator, hazardous material spills, high angio rescues, etc. * PUBLIC SERVICE CALLS Lock outs, children trapped, cut rings, etc. ¢ FIRE PREVENTION SERVICES Code enforcement.

INTRODUCING “OPERATION ADDRESS”

Please help us find you by displaying your address numbers. They should be visible from the street when travel- ling in either direction, Your family is in |eopardy if Emergency Services cannot locate your residence.

“HOME FIRE SAFETY PROGRAM” * Fire Safety Equipment + Home Fire Prevention ¢ Fire Escape Planning

© PUBLIC EDUCATION SERVICES Fire safaty lectures to schools, clubs, associ- ations and apartment managers, etc. ¢ FIRE SAFETY INSPECTIONS Of all buildings. FIRE INVESTIGATIONS Ongin / cause determination. * COMMUNITY SUPPORT Fund raisers for L.G.H., V.G.H., Burn Unit

A HIGHLY TRAINED ORGANIZATION PREPARED FOR ANY EMERGENCY

SMOKE ALARMS

PROTECT BEDROOMS FIRST. Hallway to bedroom ideal spot.

PLACE smoke alarm at top each stairway.

¢TEST At least once a month, push the test button or use smoke.

*CLEAN At least once a year, dust with vacuum.

*REPLACE The battery each year. Use battery type listed on detector.

FIRE SPRINKLERS AND SMOKE ALARMS SAVE LIVES

For further information, contact the Fire Prevention Office 922-9317 §