Winnipeggers hosted Fire Prevention Week – Winnipeg

The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) is hosting Fire Prevention Week Sunday through October 15th.

This year’s theme is ‘Fire Don’t Wait, Plan Your Escape’. WFPS encourages people to create and practice escape home safety plans with their households.

In the event of a fire or carbon monoxide emergency, ensuring people can be evacuated safely and quickly is vital to life safety.

“Don’t wait until an alarm goes off in your house to start thinking about how you and your family are getting out,” said Christian Schmidt, chief of the fire and rescue services.

“Now, by creating an escape plan and practicing it with your family, you can make sure everyone is safe in an emergency.”

A smoke alarm is the best way to ensure safety and a quick escape in the event of a fire.

Homeowners without a working smoke alarm may be eligible for a free smoke alarm installation through the SAFE Family program.

WFPS has partnered with Canadian Tire to promote the importance of smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and other fire and life safety equipment by hosting booths at a number of stores across the city.

People can talk to WFPS about these devices, how to test them, and where to install them in the following locations:

• Tuesday, October 11 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.: 750 St. James St.
• Thursday, October 13 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.: 157 Vermillion Rd.
• Friday, October 14 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.: 1519 Regent Ave. W

WFPS responded to four fires on Friday and two others on Saturday, one of which was traced to a smokestack.

In light of the colder weather, WFPS would like to remind people to stay safe when using indoor and outdoor fireplaces.

Residents can practice such measures as:

• Place flammable objects and furniture at least one meter away
• Never leave a fireplace burning unattended
• Install all security alarms
• Check whether your fireplace requires a permit from the city
• Make sure all fresh air intakes are clear
• Always leave the flap fully open when lighting a fire

Fire safety is moving in the right direction in the city, according to District Attorney Sel Burrows.

“They have been going door to door downtown with fire safety information. They have a lot more houses to go to,” he said.

However, while the preventive measure is being taken, Burrows says his biggest concern is vacant lots.

“The problem with fires and empty houses is life-threatening because people are crouching in them. And that is still a very serious issue.”

WFPS responded to a total of 144 fires in January 2021 – 45 were classified as adventitious, 29 as suspicious and 70 as undetermined cause.

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