Calgary Fire Department goes out on annual Fire Safety Blitz

It’s Fire Prevention Week across the country and the Calgary Fire Department is making sure Calgarians are prepared in case of a fire.

“We’re going to go out to the community north of Marlborough Mall here and visit 98 units,” Fire Chief Steve Dongworth said Thursday. “Take a look at what they have — smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, with help from ATCO, and also talk about a home escape plan.

“So the families actually know what to do should those alarms sound.”

The program is free of charge to residents and those knocking on doors are making sure everything is up to date and functioning properly, giving residents tips — letting them know a functioning smoke alarm isn’t the only thing they need.

“It was very easy. I only had to have a smoke detector installed in my basement because I didn’t have one,” said resident Debbie Corbett. “And ATCO replaced one of my carbon monoxide detectors because it was getting close to expiry.”

The Calgary fire chief says they repond to about 20 cooking fires each month, the most frequent type of fire they see.

He says that since the program began in 1996, more than half a million homes have been fitted with the proper tools, something that reassures residents.

“As you can see we’re all side-by-side, well attached, and if an incident happens in one, most likely it’s gonna impact neighbours on either side,” Corbett said. “So yeah, it gives me great comfort.”

The Calgary Fire Department says there are small changes you can make to your daily routine to be more fire-safe.

One of those is sleeping with your bedroom door closed — something that’ll buy you timne in case of a fire.

“It’s about having working smoke alarms that save lives so smoke alarms outside or even inside sleeping areas,” Dongoworth said. “Carbon monoxide alarm on every level of your home. Make sure your smoke alarm is no older than 10 years.”