Home fires today can burn faster than ever. Occupants may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Knowing how to use that time wisely takes planning and practice.

The Corner Brook Fire Department is promoting this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign: Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere. The campaign works to educate the public about basic but essential ways to quickly and safely escape a home fire.

Data from Statistics Canada show that the number of structure fires declined by 26 per cent between 2005 and 2014. However, residential fires consistently accounted for roughly 6 of every 10 structural fires during that period. According to StatsCan, cooking equipment and smokers’ material caused approximately 6 of every 10 residential fires.

“Working in the fire service for many years, we know that people often make choices in fire situations that jeopardize their safety or even cost them their lives,” said Craig Harnum, Deputy Fire Chief of the Corner Brook Fire Department. “We need to do a better job of teaching people about life-saving escape planning and how practice can make a difference.”

Justin Martineau, the Captain Fire Prevention and Inspections says this year’s “Look. Listen. Learn.” campaign highlights three steps people can take to help quickly and safely escape a fire:

• Look for places fire could start
• Listen for the sound of the smoke alarm
• Learn two ways out of every room

“Situational awareness is a skill people need to use wherever they go,” said Todd Flynn, Director, Protective Services. “No matter where you are, look for available exits. If the alarm system sounds, take it seriously and exit the building immediately.”

The Corner Brook Fire Department is hosting a series of events in support of this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign – Look. Listen. Learn. – including Seniors home and apartment visits, community pop up visits, an open house, and school fire drills.

For more information about Fire Prevention Week and home escape planning, visit www.firepreventionweek.org

CONTACT:
Bonita Decaire
Information Officer ⁞ City of Corner Brook
709-637-1662 ⁞ bdecaire@cornerbrook.com