Fire Drills: The Great Escape

The province's fire marshal is asking Nova Scotians to practise fire drills in their home and business during Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 8-14.

Fire Marshal Robert Cormier said drills can help prevent serious injury or death during a fire.

"Often the only thing that prevents people from suffering serious injury or death in a fire is their knowledge of an escape route, one that has been practised under non-emergency conditions," said Mr. Cormier.

"Fire drills are important for employees, as well, including nursing home staff and teachers who care for others in the workplace."

Since the theme of this year's Fire Prevention Week is Fire Drills: The Great Escape, Mr. Cormier is asking families to practise fire drills on Wednesday evening, Oct. 11. He recommends businesses also practise during this week.

During a fire drill, people should know two ways out of their home and business and know where to meet outside. Only re-enter a building once the fire department has said the site is safe.

Families should begin a fire drill by sounding a smoke alarm so children will recognize the sound and learn to evacuate an area. Fire drills should be planned in advance and children should be warned.

Fire Prevention Week is recognized throughout North America. It was initiated following the Chicago fire in 1871, which devastated the city. The fire killed 250 people, burned 17,450 buildings and left 10,000 homeless.

On average, 18 people die each year and 59 are injured in Nova Scotia due to fires. Ten people died last year. About 1,500 fires occur annually and 27 firefighters are injured every year; two have died in the past decade. Fire also causes annual property damage of $15 million in the province.

Deaths, injuries and total fire numbers are highest in residences. The leading cause of these fires are cooking and heating appliances. The most common reason for a cooking fire is inattention, including activating the wrong burner.

Heating equipment must be properly installed and meet safety code requirements. Wood stoves should be installed by certified trades persons. All electrical work should be done by certified construction electricians and oil appliances by certified burner mechanics. All fuel-burning heating systems should be checked and cleaned each year.

The fire marshal recommends that every family have a working smoke alarm outside of each bedroom area. He also suggests changing the battery when clocks are rolled back this fall. All smoke alarms should be renewed every 10 years to maintain their sensitivity.