File photo (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK

‘Fire won’t wait, plan your escape’: Fire Prevention Week in Kamloops

Oct 13, 2022 | 4:14 PM

KAMLOOPS — Fire Prevention Week is running until October 15, and this year, the focus of fire departments across British Columbia is ‘fire won’t wait, plan your escape’. Today’s homes burn faster than ever. You may have as little as two minutes, or even less time, to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds.

Kamloops Fire Rescue (KFR) is not only promoting Fire Prevention Week, but is running a fire prevention month in the city. Fire Prevention Officer Dean Olstad addressed what’s involved in creating a fire escape plan for your house.

“If we can get early notification, then you can enact your plan and follow your plan to get out,” said Olstad. “The basics are, you draw your house out, and then you try to plan two escape routes from every room — so a door, window, and then have a meeting area and the ability to call 911.”

Olstad mentioned KFR will be at the Kamloops Home Show on Saturday speaking to residents about the importance of fire safety. He added your ability to get out of a home during a fire depends on early warning from smoke alarms and advance planning.

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“Even prior to having your escape plan, probably the Number One thing is to have working smoke alarms in the house. They are your first line of defense,” added Olstad. “And if you can get working smoke alarms that are inter-connected, that is the gold standard. If a fire happens in any part of your home, it doesn’t matter where you are, you will hear that and get early notification.”