🔥 Fire Prevention Week 2019: Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!
In 2019, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) designated the theme “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!” for Fire Prevention Week, held from October 6–12. This campaign emphasized the importance of developing and practicing a home fire escape plan to ensure that all household members know two ways out of every room and can evacuate quickly in case of a fire. firehouse.com
🛡️ Emphasizing Escape Planning
The 2019 campaign focused on educating the public about the critical need for escape planning. Key messages included:
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Developing a Home Fire Escape Plan: Identifying two exits from every room and establishing a designated meeting place outside.
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Practicing the Plan Regularly: Conducting drills to ensure all household members, including children and the elderly, can evacuate quickly.
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Ensuring Functionality of Smoke Alarms: Testing alarms monthly and replacing batteries at least once a year to provide early warning in case of fire.
By preparing for multiple exit strategies, families can increase their chances of escaping safely during a fire emergency.
📊 Canadian Fire Statistics Highlighting the Need
According to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, in 2019, there were 3,933 wildfires across Canada, consuming approximately 1.79 million hectares of land. While these figures pertain to wildfires, they underscore the importance of fire awareness and preparedness in all settings. Ciffc
In residential settings, data indicates that there are approximately 7,130 residential fires per year in Canada, with an average injury rate of 70.8 injuries per 1,000 fires and an average death rate of 10.9 deaths per 1,000 fires. These statistics highlight the ongoing risk of fire-related incidents in homes and the critical need for public education on fire prevention and safety practices.
🧯 Community Engagement Across Canada
Fire departments and safety organizations across Canada actively participated in the campaign by:
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Distributing Educational Materials: Providing brochures and pamphlets on escape planning to schools, community centers, and households.
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Hosting Workshops and Demonstrations: Organizing events to demonstrate how to create and practice escape plans effectively.
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Media Outreach: Utilizing local media outlets to spread awareness about the importance of having multiple escape routes and promoting safety tips.
🔗 Learn More
For additional resources and information on fire safety practices, visit the NFPA’s Fire Prevention Week page.
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