OTTAWA,
ON, Oct. 6, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable
Harjit S. Sajjan, President of the King's Privy Council for
Canada and Minister of Emergency
Preparedness and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic
Development Agency of Canada
issued the following statement:
"This year's Fire Prevention Week runs from October 6-12 across Canada. Fires can spread within seconds and
have devastating impacts, leading to injuries, destruction of
property, and loss of life. This week is about learning about the
dangers of fire and what to do to protect yourself and your loved
ones.
People in Canada know all too
well about the impact of fires. This year alone, over 5 million
hectares of land burned across the country; uprooting families,
destroying homes and communities. The impacts of climate change are
vast and expected to worsen in the coming years.
This year's theme from the National Fire Protection Association
is Smoke Alarms: Make them work for you.™. The
week is about the importance of working smoke alarms in the home
and how to react when a smoke alarm sounds. There should be smoke
alarms inside and outside every bedroom, and on every level of your
home, including the basement. It is equally important to test smoke
alarms at least once a month and to replace them when they are 10
years old or stop responding when tested.
In times of tragedy, we often witness remarkable acts of hope
and bravery. With Fire Prevention Week in mind, I am grateful to
firefighters, fire safety leaders, first responders, emergency
workers, volunteers, and military personnel. They all work
tirelessly to keep people and communities safe, to prevent fires
and minimize damage when disaster strikes. We value their courage
and skill.
Fire Prevention Week brings communities together to learn about
fire safety and create a stronger sense of preparedness. Each of us
has a part to play in making our homes and communities safe.
Together, we can significantly reduce the risk of fires including
the many human-caused wildfires.
This week, I encourage everyone to test your smoke alarms and
replace them if they don't work or are over 10 years old. Find out
how you can prepare for other emergencies and disasters by
consulting www.GetPrepared.gc.ca. If you live in a wildfire zone,
listen to your local authorities, have a wildfire emergency plan,
and clean up around your home, as recommended by
https://firesmartcanada.ca/."
SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada