Fire Prevention Week celebrates major milestone

Public Safety Minister Geneviève Guilbault announced the launch of the 30th annual Fire Prevention Week, which takes place between Oct. 4 and 10. The spokesperson for this year’s awareness campaign is two-time Olympic medalist Dominique Maltais.

“In our daily lives, in the kitchen or near the BBQ, or in a host of everyday activities, a simple distraction can cause a serious fire, injuries, burns or even loss of life,” said Maltais.

The Olympian trained as a firefighter with the Baie-saint-paul Fire Department. The theme of the weeklong event is about accountability. People need to be aware of the dangers of an open fire or safety hazards.

Maltais added that in the event of a fire, people have less than three minutes to get out. It’s important to ensure the smoke alarm is working, she continued, and to consider an evacuation plan, which can save countless lives.

Nearly half of all residential fires in Quebec are linked to distractions or human error, according to a press release. This year, Fire Prevention Week will focus on informing the public of the many sources of distraction people can find in the kitchen.

“We all have a preventive role to play in the face of fire risks, notably by being vigilant and responsible in our behaviour,” said Guilbault. “With nearly half of all fires caused by distraction or human error, we are the first to be able to protect ourselves against a fire in our home.”