October 10, 2017 "” Thunder Bay Fire Rescue kicked-off Fire Prevention Week at St. Jude Elementary School today. Grade 4 students at St. Jude educated a gymnasium full of classmates, teachers, Thunder Bay Fire Rescue personnel and Mayor Keith Hobbs on the importance of working smoke alarms and home fire safety. 

Fire Prevention Week runs from Oct. 8 - 14, and this year's theme is "Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!"

"The last thing you want to be doing during a fire is trying to figure out a safe way out of your residence" said Fire Chief John Hay. "Home fire escape plans need to be practiced so everyone in your home knows what to do in the event of an emergency." 

Chief Hay also explained that you must never re-enter a burning building. Once you have safely escaped, call 911 from outside your home or from a neighbour's house. 

Thunder Bay Fire Rescue reminds residents that it's the law to have working smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside all sleeping areas. Carbon monoxide alarms are required outside all sleeping areas if your home has a fireplace, an attached garage or a fuel fired appliance.

- 30 -

Contact:     Anthony Stokaluk, Public Education Officer - Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, 625-2802, cell 631-7033 or astokaluk@thunderbay.ca