Released on October 6, 2009
Corrections, Public Safety and Policing Minister D.F. (Yogi) Huyghebaert teamed up with fire fighters to remind Grades 1 to 3 students from Queen Elizabeth School in Saskatoon about the importance of fire safety. The event kicked off Fire Prevention Week which runs from October 4 to 10, 2009.
This year's theme is "Stay Fire Smart! Don't Get Burned" and focuses on burn awareness and prevention, as well as keeping homes safe from the leading causes of home fires.
"This theme focuses on prevention, detection and escape to educate Saskatchewan residents of all ages about the importance of preventing house fires," Huyghebaert said. "While prevention is key, it's important for families to work together to prepare and practice an escape plan to make sure everyone in the home can safely exit in case a fire does happen."
National statistics indicate cooking is the number one cause of fires in the home.
In Canada, most fatal fires happen in the home where people feel the safest. In Saskatchewan, 70 per cent of fatal fires happen in the home.
More information on fire safety is available from the Office of the Fire Commissioner at http://www.cpsp.gov.sk.ca/OFC.
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For more information, contact:
Linsay Rabyj
Corrections, Public Safety and Policing
Regina
Phone: 306-787-2626
Email: linsay.rabyj@gov.sk.ca