Fire Prevention Week - October 9-15, 2022 - "Fire won't wait. Plan your escape."

September 13, 2022

Nelson, BC: The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Fire Service is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week, October 9-15, 2022. This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape”, works to educate everyone about simple, but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires. 

“Today’s homes burn faster than ever. You may have as little as two minutes – or even less – to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds,” said Gord Ihlen, RDCK Fire Prevention Officer. “Your ability to get out of a home during a fire depends on early warning from smoke alarms and advance planning.”

The RDCK Fire Departments encourage all residents to embrace the 2022 Fire Prevention Week theme. Here are key home fire escape planning tips:

  • Make sure your plan meets the needs of all your household members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
  • Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound.
  • Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.
  • Have an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet.
  • Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in the household, including guests. Practice at least once during the day and at night.
  • Check your smoke alarm and change the batteries when required.

“It’s important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape,” said Ihlen. “Everyone needs to be prepared in advance, so that they know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Given that every home is different, every home fire escape plan will also be different. Have a plan for everyone in the home. Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need assistance to wake up and get out. Make sure that someone will help them.”

RDCK Fire Departments are hosting a series of events in support of this year’s Fire Prevention Week, including open houses and school visits.

To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in British Columbia, please contact the local fire department in your area at www.rdck.ca/firedepartments.

For more information about fire prevention, visit:

Click here to view a print-friendly PDF version.

The content on this page was last updated September 13 2022 at 1:57 AM

Back to top