Toronto Fire Services Kicks Off Fire Prevention Week and Celebrates 150 Years of Fire Protection
Toronto — On Saturday, Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Paula Fletcher joined members of Toronto Fire Services to mark the beginning of Fire Prevention Week™ and celebrate a major milestone—150 years of fire protection services in Toronto. This year’s theme, “Smoke Alarms: Make Them Work for You!”, emphasizes the importance of having functioning smoke alarms in every home and their life-saving role in the event of a fire.
Fire Prevention Week™, organized by the National Fire Protection Association, dates back to 1922. It was created to educate the public about fire safety and commemorate the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The week-long initiative is aimed at teaching both children and adults how to prevent fires and how to stay safe if one occurs.
🚒@toronto_fire is kicking off Fire Prevention Week and commemorating 150 years of dedicated fire protection services in Toronto.
There will be a series of Open Houses this week as well as educational events and initiatives.
🔥 News Release: https://t.co/Eb4g0qXvtX pic.twitter.com/om3d8mroTx
— City of Toronto (@cityoftoronto) October 5, 2024
Toronto Fire Services is encouraging residents to participate in several educational events throughout Fire Prevention Week™, which runs from Sunday, October 6 to Saturday, October 12. Events include open houses at fire stations across the city, where residents can take part in interactive displays and activities focused on fire safety.
Here are the upcoming open house events:
- Tuesday, October 8, from 4 to 7 p.m.
- Toronto Fire Station 142, 2753 Jane St.
- Toronto Fire Station 426, 140 Lansdowne Ave.
- Thursday, October 10, from 4 to 7 p.m.
- Toronto Fire Station 221, 2575 Eglinton Ave. E.
- Toronto Fire Station 325, 475 Dundas St. E.
The focus of this year’s campaign is ensuring that all Toronto households have working smoke alarms. According to fire officials, working smoke alarms provide critical early warning, reducing the risk of injury or death by giving residents valuable time to escape during a fire.
Smoke Alarm Safety Tips:
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas.
- Test alarms monthly by pressing the test button and listening for the sound.
- Replace smoke alarm batteries twice a year, ideally when adjusting clocks for daylight savings.
- Clean alarms regularly by gently vacuuming them to remove dust buildup.
- Replace any smoke alarms that are over 10 years old.
- Have a home fire escape plan that every household member knows and practices.
Mayor Chow highlighted the importance of community involvement in making Toronto safer. “Fire prevention starts at home, and it’s up to every Toronto resident to make sure they have working smoke alarms and a plan to protect their family,” she said.
This year, the Toronto Fire Services also celebrates a significant milestone—150 years of protecting the city. Fire Chief Matthew Pegg expressed gratitude for the long history of fire service and commitment to public safety. “For 150 years, Toronto Fire Services has been on the front lines, protecting this city. Our goal remains the same today—keeping Torontonians safe through education, prevention, and response,” he said.
For more information on fire safety and upcoming events, visit the City of Toronto’s Fire Safety webpage at www.toronto.ca/firesafety.