In support of Fire Prevention Week in October, the Parksville Volunteer Fire Department members will host their annual open house on Oct. 15.
The event runs from from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Parksville Fire Rescue Training Centre (1159 Franklins Gull Rd), according to a new release by Parksville Fire Rescue.
Residents will learn about fire safety including home fire sprinklers, smoke alarms and home escape plans along with educational displays as well as interactive activities where you will learn how to use a fire extinguisher, how to perform CPR, try hose and target practice, and there’s a children’s bunker gear challenge.
The day will feature an auto extrication demonstration at 11 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. a side-by-side burn demonstration featuring two similarly furnished rooms; one protected with fire sprinklers and the other without fire sprinklers. The demonstration shows how quickly a fire can become deadly versus the quick response and effectiveness of a fire sprinkler system in controlling or extinguishing a fire.
This year’s fire prevention week theme, “Cooking safety starts with YOU. Pay attention to fire prevention,” works to educate about simple but important actions one can take to keep themselves and those around them safe when cooking. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires and deaths, and cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries.
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“We encourage residents to embrace this year’s fire prevention week theme, ‘Cooking safety start with you. Pay attention to fire prevention,’” said Fire Chief Marc Norris. “A cooking fire can grow quickly, I have seen many homes damaged and people injured by fires that could easily have been prevented. Each year, our members look forward to hosting this open house, an opportunity to share resources to help keep our residents safe.”
Parksville Fire Rescue offers these key safety tips to help reduce the risk of a cooking fire:
• Watch what you heat. Always keep a close eye on what you are cooking. Set a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Always keep a lid nearby when cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner.
• Have a “kid- and pet-free zone” of at least one metre around the stove or grill and anywhere else hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
The department is starting to plan for 2024 recruitment and is seeking volunteer paid on-call firefighters.
For info, stop by Parksville Fire Rescue, call 250-248-3242 or visit parksvillefirerescue.ca.
— NEWS Staff, submitted
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