Toronto Fire Services kicks off Fire Prevention Week™ and celebrates 150 Years of fire protection services in Toronto

Today, Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Paula Fletcher (Toronto-Danforth) joined members of Toronto Fire Services to kick off Fire Prevention Week™ and to commemorate 150 years of dedicated fire protection services in Toronto. This year’s Fire Prevention Week™ theme, “Smoke Alarms: make them work for you!”, reminds Toronto residents about the importance of having a working smoke alarm in the home and the critical role smoke alarms play as the first line of defence in a home fire.

The National Fire Protection Association’s Fire Prevention Week™ began in 1922 to commemorate the devastating loss caused by the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The goal of the week-long event is to educate children and adults on important steps to take to prevent a fire and actions to take in the event a fire starts.

This year, Toronto Fire Services invites residents to participate in various educational events and initiatives aimed at raising awareness about fire safety throughout Fire Prevention Week™, which runs from Sunday, October 6 to Saturday, October 12.

Today, Toronto Fire Services™ hosted a special celebration at the Toronto Fire Academy to commemorate 150 years of dedicated fire protection services and to kick off Fire Prevention Week. During the week, Toronto Fire Services will also host a series of open houses at fire stations across the city, where attendees can explore and engage in fire safety displays, activities and interactive games:

• Tuesday, October 8, from 4 to 7 p.m.
  o Toronto Fire Station 142, 2753 Jane St.
  o Toronto Fire Station 426, 140 Lansdowne Ave.
• Thursday, October 10, from 4 to 7 p.m.
  o Toronto Fire Station 221, 2575 Eglinton Ave. E.
  o Toronto Fire Station 325, 475 Dundas St. E.

About this year’s Fire Prevention Week theme

In a fire, mere seconds can mean the difference between a safe escape and a tragedy. Smoke alarms reduce the risk of dying in a home, giving families the precious seconds they need to escape safely.

Smoke alarm safety tips and guidelines:

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and near each sleeping area.
• Test your smoke alarm monthly by pressing the test button and listening for the alarm.
• Change the batteries twice a year at the same time you change your clocks for daylight savings.
• Prevent dust from clogging your smoke alarms by gently vacuuming them with a soft brush every six months.
• Replace alarms that are more than 10 years old.
• Make a home escape plan.

More information is available on the City’s Fire Safety webpage.

Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on X, Instagram or Facebook.