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With Fire Prevention Week just around the corner, Fire & Emergency Services is reminding everyone in the community to learn the sounds of fire safety.  

This year’s theme of Fire Prevention Week, which runs from October 3-9, 2021, as set out by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety” and works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe. 

“It’s important to learn the different sounds of smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. When an alarm makes noise—a beeping sound or a chirping sound—you must take action!” said Charles Turpin, fire prevention officer. “Make sure everyone in the home understands the sounds of the alarms and knows how to respond. To learn the sounds of your specific smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, check the manufacturer’s instructions that came in the box, or search the brand and model online.”

Follow these safety tips to help you “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety”:

  • A continuous set of three loud beeps—beep, beep, beep—means smoke or fire. Get out, call 9-1-1, and stay out.
  • A single chirp every 30 or 60 seconds means the battery is low and must be changed
  • All smoke alarms must be replaced after 10 years
  • Chirping that continues after the battery has been replaced means the alarm is at the end of its life and the unit must be replaced
  • Make sure your smoke and CO alarms meet the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities

This year Port Colborne Fire & Emergency Services is asking the community to #PORTicipate in a fun interactive BINGO game to learn more about fire prevention and safety tips. The Fire Safety BINGO card can be found online, on the City’s Facebook page and in the October edition of City Hall News. The BINGO card asks safety questions like, “have you checked your smoke alarm recently?” and “Do you know when your smoke alarm expires?”. Residents are encouraged to review the card and mark the boxes that apply to them. Once the resident has successfully completed an entire line on the BINGO card, they can snap a picture and send it to the City of Port Colborne via a Facebook private message or by emailing communicationsofficer@portcolborne.ca.

To learn more about fire prevention week and why home escape practice and planning are more important than ever, visit www.fpw.org.