“Smoke alarms: make them work for you” Fire Prevention Week, October 6 – 12

Every second counts when a fire breaks out, and the early warning provided by working smoke alarms can be lifesaving. During this year’s Fire Prevention Week, Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services (LFES) encourages residents to take action to make sure their smoke alarms work for them.

The 2024 campaign, “Smoke Alarms: Make them work for you,” focuses on three important steps:

1. Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of your home.
2. Test your smoke alarms monthly to ensure they are in good working condition.
3. Replace smoke alarms every 10 years or sooner if they stop working. 

“Smoke alarms are your first line of defence against fire. When they are installed correctly, tested regularly and replaced as needed, you dramatically increase your chances of escaping a fire unharmed,” says Troy Hicks, Chief Fire Marshal with LFES. 

A home can burn quickly, leaving families with only a short window of time to escape once a fire starts. Properly functioning smoke alarms provide that early alert.

Outreach events

LFES is hosting several outreach events during Fire Prevention Week: 

• Lethbridge Public Library Downtown branch on Tuesday, October 8, from 2 – 4 p.m.;
• Lethbridge Public Library Crossings branch on Wednesday, October 9, from 2 – 4 p.m.;
• Lethbridge Seniors Citizens Organization (LSCO) on Thursday, October 10, from 10 a.m. – 12 noon;

The outreach events will offer information on fire safety and smoke alarms and a chance to win a draw for a fire extinguisher or fire blanket. The events are an opportunity to connect with Fire Prevention Officers, ask questions and learn more about fire safety in your home. 

Fire Chief for a Day Colouring Contest

LFES is hosting a ‘Fire Chief for a Day’ colouring contest as part of Fire Prevention Week. Children 12 and under are encouraged to participate by submitting their completed colouring sheets for a chance to win. The winner will have an opportunity to serve as the Fire Chief for a day. Entries must be submitted by October 20. 

Colouring sheets can be picked up at the outreach events, from the Lethbridge Public Library, or it can be downloaded from Lethbridge.ca/fire.

For more information on smoke alarms and fire prevention tips, visit www.firepreventionweek.org   

For Public Inquiries:
Call or chat 311 | Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.