Public Safety
October 6, 2014

Promoting Fire Prevention to Improve Public Safety

Fire Prevention Week Runs October 5 to 11

The Honourable Judy Manning, Minister of Public Safety and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador, announced today that this year’s Fire Prevention Week takes place October 5-11. The theme for 2014 is Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives, Test Yours Every Month. To promote this message, the Provincial Government and fire departments across Newfoundland and Labrador are stressing the important role that working smoke alarms play in saving lives.

“The Department of Public Safety, recently established by Premier Davis, is focused on ensuring our communities are as safe as possible for all residents. We recognize the importance of Fire Prevention Week and the opportunity it creates to educate residents about the value of testing their smoke alarms on a monthly basis and replacing them every 10 years. It is a well-known fact that education, awareness and fire prevention save lives, and that’s what this week is all about.”
- The Honourable Judy Manning, Minister of Public Safety and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services-NL

During Fire Prevention Week, fire departments and schools throughout Newfoundland and Labrador will perform fire drills, host discussions, and deliver public information to children and residents.

The Department of Public Safety encourages residents to make fire safety a priority year-round. Fire departments will be emphasizing the following safety tips throughout the week:

  • Test your smoke alarms every month.
  • Replace all smoke alarms in your home every 10 years.
  • When a smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside.
  • Choose smoke alarms that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
  • Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home, including the basement.
  • On levels without bedrooms, install alarms in the living room (or den or family room) or near the stairway to the upper level, or in both locations.
  • Smoke alarms should be installed at least 10 feet (three metres) from a cooking appliance to minimize false alarms when cooking.
  • Mount smoke alarms high on walls or ceilings (remember, smoke rises).
  • Don't install smoke alarms near windows, doors, or ducts where drafts might interfere with their operation.
  • Never paint smoke alarms. Paint, stickers, or other decorations could keep the alarms from working.

Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record. More information can be found at www.gov.nl.ca/fes/ or www.fpw.org External Link.

QUICK FACTS

  • Fire Prevention Week 2014 is October 5 to 11. This year’s theme is Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives, Test Yours Every Month.
  • The Department of Public Safety and Fire and Emergency Services-Newfoundland and Labrador encourage residents to make fire safety a priority year-round.
  • Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record. More information can be found at www.gov.nl.ca/fes/ or www.fpw.org External Link

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Media contact:

Luke Joyce
Director of Communications
Department of Public Safety
709-729-6985, 725-4165
lukejoyce@gov.nl.ca

2014 10 06                                        10:40 a.m.