In 2019 Fire Prevention Week will run from Sunday, October 6, through Saturday, October 12. It’s marked each year across North America in memory of the Great Chicago Fire, the tragic 1871 conflagration that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres.
In Canada most fire deaths occur in the home, where people believe they're safest. You may have as little as one to two minutes from the time a fire alarm sounds to escape safely from a house or apartment — which may be even more difficult at night if you’re awakened in the dark. Escape planning and practice can help you make the most of that small window of opportunity. How prepared is your family? Does each of you know what to do and how to get out? Have you practised what to do in different seasons? Advance preparation can make all the difference.
Kingston Fire and Rescue personnel will be at two KFPL branches in October to talk about home fire prevention and to answer your questions. Their presentation will take place twice on Tuesday, October 8: first at the Calvin Park branch at 2 p.m. and then at the Isabel Turner branch at 7 p.m.
Both sessions will be the same, and both are open to adults and families. There is no admission charge, but seating is limited. To avoid disappointment, please register in advance at calendar.kfpl.ca or by phone at (613) 549-8888 as of 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 28.