Fire Prevention Week

As the province approaches another Fire Prevention Week, there's reason to celebrate -- the number of fire-related injuries and fatalities is on the decline in Nova Scotia for the third year in a row.

"We're seeing progress, but even one fatality or one injury is too many," said provincial Fire Marshal Robert Cormier.

In 2000-01, eight people died and 21 (including three firefighters) suffered fire-related injuries in more than 1,500 reported fires. That is down from the same period last year, in which 10 Nova Scotians were killed and 29, including 15 firefighters, suffered injuries due to fires. In the 1997-98, fires in the province killed 11 people and injured another 22.

Mr. Cormier said the reasons for the improvement include continued education programs, increased partnerships with consumers and suppliers and the commitment of the fire service. He also noted that passage of the province's new Fire Safety Act in May should result in even greater improvements over time.

"We believe every man, woman and child in the province has a role to play in preventing fires," said Mr. Cormier. "This new law will help people understand their responsibilities and how they can make a difference."

The new Fire Safety Act will require land and building owners to take every reasonable precaution to prevent fires from starting in the first place. It also adopts the National Fire Code of Canada as the provincial standard.

Mr. Cormier said his department and the Fire Prevention Advisory Council worked hard to draw up new, more modern regulations to help maintain the downward trend in the number of preventable fires.

The theme of Fire Prevention Week 2002, which runs from Oct. 6 to 12, is Team Up for Fire Safety.

"Team up with the people with whom you live, work, play and worship, so that all of you will be better prepared to prevent, and if necessary, survive a fire," said Tom Makey, national president of Fire Prevention Canada.

This is a theme Mr. Cormier said he would like to last all year.

"Fire Prevention Week lasts seven days, but fire safety must be a concern 365 days a year."

NOTE: The following are a backgrounder on losses due to fire and a list of free publications available from the Office of the Fire Marshal by calling 902-424-8022.

BACKGROUNDER: LOSSES DUE TO FIRE

According to the most recent unaudited statistics from the Office of the Fire Marshal, the leading causes of fires in Nova Scotia were:

• heating equipment (furnaces, woodstoves, space heaters, etc.): 422 fires and about $3.4 million in losses;

• cooking equipment (such as stoves): 138 fires and about $500,000 in losses;

• appliances (toasters, irons, etc.): 88 fires and more than $1 million in losses; and

• open flame/smoking: 82 fires and about $907,000 in losses.

A fire is reported every 11 minutes in Canada. This amounts to 66,000 fires on average every year.

Nationally, 388 people died in fires in 1999 and more than 2,200 were injured. Total property losses amounted to $1.23 billion. Major fires continue to involve smoking, cooking appliances and heating equipment.

FIRE SAFETY PUBLICATIONS

• Chimney Maintenance: Your Winter Reminder
• Fire Escape Planning: At Work, At Home
• Cooking Oil and Grease Fires: Put a Lid on It
• Heating Your Home Safely
• Fire Safety Tips for Students
• Smoke Alarms
• Fire Consumes Jobs