Fire departments are invited to host fire prevention and fire safety information sessions at a Lowe’s or RONA* store in their community. The OAFC and our partners have agreed to host events until the end of the year, rather than restrict it to Fire Prevention Week/Month and CO Awareness Week/Month, and you can choose to host your event indoors, or outdoors.
Some family-friendly events your department can offer could include:
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Firefighters leading an information session on carbon monoxide and smoke alarms, including 10-year sealed battery alarms;
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Fire escape planning;
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Kids fire safety poster contest;
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Photo ops with kids;
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Fire truck tours, and more.
Until we see a significant reduction in fire deaths and non-working smoke and CO alarms in homes, our theme continues to be "Only Working Smoke and CO Alarms Save Lives" and “Escape Plans: Know Your Way Out.” When a fire breaks out, there’s no time to waste. This is why it's critically important to create an escape route for you, and your family, and to practice it at least twice a year. Having working smoke and CO alarms is vital to early detection, ensuring that families have time to escape!
Fire departments are encouraged to get creative to make the events as meaningful and memorable as possible!
First Alert Canada, Lowe’s and RONA* have purchased public education/fire prevention kits. If you host an event, you will receive supplies from these kits to distribute at your event. The giveaways may include: Will Fightfire and Friends activity books, crayons and red fire helmets, as well as adult/senior activity books. Each kit will also include contest information, and important smoke/co alarm brochures. Additionally, some Lowe’s and RONA*stores will provide other giveaways and promotional materials while taking take care of all the setup at the store!
2020 Fire Prevention Month Contest - Will Fightfire & Fiona Firesafety Want You to Share Your Home Fire Safety By Participating in our Home Fire Safety Poster Contest!
Last year, all Will Fightfire and Friends products purchased by Ontario fire departments for fire prevention month in October, and CO Awareness Week, or provided through the Lowe's-First Alert Canada public education/fire prevention store events, received contest entry forms to distribute during their fire prevention community events! Kids (under the age of twelve), submitted their home fire escape plans, and submitted the form back to the fire department. The fire department then submitted all entries to the OAFC. Chosen out of hundreds of entries received by the OAFC, and eight-year old Jaylyn of Peterborough Ontario who was selected out of hundreds of entries received from children and youth all across Ontario.
For having her escape plan chosen, Jaylyn won a fire safety gift pack, $500 cash, and a special prize from the City of Peterborough Fire Services
This year, we will be providing contest forms on how kids are being fire safe in their homes, by participating in our Home Fire Safety Poster Contest The contest will be run from October 1 to December 11, 2020. The winner will receive a special prize package, including: a fire safety gift pack, a $500 cash prize, and a customized offer from participating the local fire departments – which could include a fire station tour, a ride in a fire truck, and/or being a fire chief for a day. More information on this year's contest to come.