Samantha NickersonFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Cochrane, AB) – October 3-9 is Fire Prevention Week and Cochrane Fire Services wants to remind you to learn the sounds of fire safety to help keep you and your family safe.
“What do the sounds mean? Is there a beep or a chirp coming out of your smoke or carbon monoxide alarm? Knowing the difference can save you, your home, and your family,” said Jeff Avery, Town of Cochrane Fire Prevention Officer. “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—take action. Make sure everyone in your home understands the sounds of the alarms and knows how to respond.”
Here are a few tips to ensure alarm 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, refer to your alarm’s manual for more information.
Make sure your smoke and CO alarms meet the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to influence how fire education programs are delivered by Cochrane Fire Services, the department is continuing to adapt to the challenges of informing and educating young Cochrane residents. Since in-station tours were suspended in early 2019, Cochrane Fire Services developed a virtual 360 self-guided tour, available on cochrane.ca/FirePrevention.
In conjunction with Fire Prevention Week, Cochrane Fire Services is launching an exciting new initiative for this year, fire apparatus trading cards. Each card will feature a specific fire apparatus. In addition, a QR code is included on each card that when scanned will open a video for the apparatus. Each video is narrated by fire fighters that use these trucks and offers a personal tour of the truck and equipment used on it. This is the next best thing to being there sitting in the seat and touching the truck. Important fire safety messages are incorporated in these informative videos and cards. The first card and associated video is for the Aerial 151 truck, more cards will be coming soon. To find out more visit cochrane.ca/FirePrevention.
For more information about Fire Prevention Week and fire prevention in general, visit www.nfpa.org/fpw.
Marni Fedeyko
