by Sylene Argent
For the second year in a row, Essex Fire & Rescue’s Fire Prevention Week activities will take place online.
Between October 4-8, area residents will be able to learn about fire safety and prevention through the Town of Essex’s social media page and website. During Fire Prevention Week, residents will find different activities they can do at home, including completing smoke alarm surveys for older grades and a colouring contest for younger students.
This year’s theme is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety.”
On the Wednesday, firefighters will hang door hangers around town to remind residents to check the expiry date of, and the batteries in, their smoke alarms and CO2 detectors.
Jacey Brockman, Assistant Deputy Fire Chief, encourages residents of all ages to use this time to learn the sounds of fire safety. The smoke alarm chirp that takes place every 30 to 60 seconds, for instance, typically indicates a low battery. Individuals sometimes call the fire hall with concerns about that chirp, and firefighters are always eager to pass along the information and encourage everyone to keep the batteries fresh in those lifesaving notification devices.
“We remind people to check them, because it keeps you safe,” Brockman said.
As part of the Fire Prevention Week activities, residents are urged to check smoke alarms and message the local fire department about that check to be entered into a draw for a chance to win a Fire Prevention Day kit.
In addition, as a way to give back to local businesses, local employers are urged to get their employees to complete the smoke alarm survey from home. If any local businesses get their employees to do so, they could be entered into a draw for a chance to win an AED.
“We are helping to remind people, it’s the law and safe for them,” Brockman said of the importance of checking smoke alarms.
He added the firefighters at Essex Fire & Rescue were really hoping things could progress back to an in-person gathering this year, as the Fire Prevention Week event had to take place virtually last year as well, due to the Coronavirus. One of the key draws of hosting Fire Prevention Week every year is bringing the hundreds of youths who attend to ride in a fire truck, and it was thought this would be too challenging to do safely this year.
It is hoped Fire Prevention Week activities will be able to take place in-person next year.