Essex Fire’s annual Fire Prevention Open House urged residents to ‘Charge into Fire Safety’

by Sylene Argent, Local Journalism Initiative

The best way to prevent fires is to pass along safety and prevention tips to youths, which they can take home to their families to help keep their homes safe. That’s why Firefighters with Essex Fire & Rescue look for ways to engage the public as often as they can.

  One of the biggest public education nights of the year takes place during the annual Fire Prevention Week Open House.

  Fire Prevention Week is recognized throughout Canada and the US.

  This year’s Open House took place last Wednesday evening, offering area youths and their families an opportunity to head down to all three of Essex's Fire Stations, where they were able to take a ride around the block in a fire truck, enjoy a barbequed hotdog, get their hands on fire prevention materials and fun swag, get pictures with Sparky the Fire Dog, and see firefighters in full bunker gear.

  Youths were also able to try their hand on a miniature Firefighter-themed obstacle course that had them swinging mini sledge hammers, carrying hoses, dragging a mannequin, and handling a real firehouse.  

  Onsite, families learned this year’s Fire Prevention Week theme was "Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home."

  Essex Fire Chief Jason Pillon noted this year’s theme pushed the message of safety in the home in using Lithium-Ion batteries.  

  He noted that many items in the home use a battery to operate, like cell phones, video games, and other devices.

  It is important to not charge batteries when not home, and to be sure to unplug them when they are done charging. It is also important to charge them on a hard, incombustible surface, to only use certified UL batteries, and to keep batteries away from heat and physical damage.

  Deputy Fire Chief Jacey Brockman added the importance of properly disposing batteries. He urged residents to ensure they look for a designated battery recycling depot, where they can be properly disposed of and not sent to the landfill, where they could cause a fire.

  Lithium-Ion batteries are found in many household devices, but improper use can lead to dangerous fires. Assistant Deputy Chief Jim Meloche added, relaying that according to an Underwriters Laboratories study last year, 104 fatalities and 586 injuries were linked to Lithium-Ion battery incidents in the US.

  As part of its ongoing commitment to public safety, Meloche noted Essex Fire & Rescue continues to remind residents of the critical importance of testing smoke alarms

  “Smoke alarms are a vial warning system in the event of a fire,” Meloche said. To ensure they are functioning properly, residents are urged to test them monthly, replace batteries annually, unless using 10-year sealed lithium batteries, and to position the top edge of wall-mounted alarms four-12 inches from the ceiling.

  “Working smoke alarms can cut the risk of dying in a home fire by half,” Meloche added. “It is a simple habit that can make all the difference.

  “Essex Fire & Rescue continues to offer fire safety education, demonstrations, and resources to help keep families stay safe,” Meloche added. “We are excited to open our doors for our annual Open House, so our Firefighters can share this information with the community.”

  In addition to learning about fire prevention in a fun and interactive way, the Open House also offered a chance for youths to win one of three bikes, thanks to Paul Davis Restoration, popcorn from What’s Poppin’, and gift cards through OG Pizza as part of the colouring contest. In addition, Essex Fire gave adults a chance to win a 72-hour survival kit.

 Fire Prevention extends to public

engagement event at Canadian Tire

On Saturday, Firefighters with Essex Fire & Rescue gathered at the Essex Canadian Tire, fire trucks in tow, to further engage with residents and spread Fire Prevention Week safety messaging.   

  This was the first time the local fire service hosted an additional Fire  Prevention Week public engagement event, hoping to utilize the opportunity to connect as many Essex residents as possible to spread fire safety and prevention messaging.