🔥 Fire Prevention Week - Day 4 🔥
Keep Exit Routes Clear - Every Second Counts
When an emergency happens, everyone needs a safe and unobstructed path to get out quickly. Hallways, stairwells, exits, and doorways are designed to provide a clear route to safety and must always remain free of storage and other obstacles.
This is especially important as more people use e-bikes and e-scooters powered by lithium-ion batteries. These devices should never be charged in hallways, corridors, stairwells, or near exit doors. If a battery fails and catches fire, it can produce intense heat, toxic smoke, and block the very escape routes people rely on during an emergency.
✅ Keep hallways, stairwells, and exits clear of personal belongings, furniture, bicycles, e-bikes, and e-scooters.
✅ Never charge lithium-ion batteries near exits or in common corridors.
✅ Follow manufacturer instructions for charging and use only approved chargers.
✅ Ensure exit doors can open fully and are never blocked or locked in a way that prevents emergency egress.
A clear exit path can make all the difference when seconds matter.
Peachland Fire Rescue ServiceWorking together to keep our community safe during Fire Prevention Week and beyond.
#FirePreventionWeek #FPW2026 #PeachlandFireRescue #FireSafety #LithiumBatterySafety #EBikeSafety #EScooterSafety #ExitRoutes #KnowYourWayOut
October 7 - Electrical Safety
Electricity powers our homes every day, but damaged cords and unsafe electrical practices can quickly become a fire hazard. This Fire Prevention Week, take a few minutes to inspect the electrical cords throughout your home. A small problem today could prevent a fire tomorrow.
⚡ Electrical Safety Tip: Check Your Cords!
✅ Inspect cords regularly for:
- Fraying, cracking, or exposed wires
- Loose plugs or damaged connectors
- Pinched cords under furniture
- Cords running under carpets or through doorways
✅ Remember:
- Extension cords are for temporary use only
- Major appliances should be plugged directly into wall outlets
- Never overload outlets or power bars
- Replace damaged cords immediately
🚨 Call a qualified electrician if you notice:
- Warm or discolored outlets
- Frequent breaker trips
- Flickering lights
- Sparks from an outlet
- Burning odors from electrical equipment
Electrical fires often start out of sight. Taking a few moments to check your cords and outlets can help keep your family safe.
Fire Prevention Week 2026 Theme: "Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home"
More Information
October 7 - Check your smoke alarm
🚨 Remember when we used to say, “Check your smoke alarm batteries when you change your clocks”? 🚨
For many years, the start and end of Daylight Saving Time served as a reminder to test smoke alarms and replace batteries. While many of us no longer think about changing our clocks, the need to check our smoke alarms has not changed.
✅ Test your smoke alarms every month by pressing the test button.
✅ Make sure smoke alarms are installed in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level of your home.
✅ Replace batteries as needed and follow the manufacturer's recommendations.
✅ Replace the entire smoke alarm when it reaches 10 years of age.
A working smoke alarm provides critical early warning in the event of a fire, giving you and your family precious time to escape safely. In fact, many home fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
♻️ When replacing batteries, recycle them properly. Never throw loose batteries in the garbage, as damaged batteries can create a fire hazard. Take used batteries to an approved recycling location and tape the terminals of lithium batteries before disposal.
This Fire Prevention Week, take a few minutes to test your smoke alarms. It's a simple step that can save lives.
"Make Smoke Alarms Work for You!" 🔥🏠🚒
October 5
Lithium-Ion Battery Safety: Buy. Charge. Recycle.
Did you know that many of the devices we use every day, including phones, tablets, laptops, e-bikes, power tools, and cordless vacuums, are powered by lithium-ion batteries? These batteries store a lot of energy in a small space and can overheat, catch fire, or even explode if damaged or improperly charged.
✅ BUY SMART
- Choose products with recognized safety certification marks such as UL, ETL, or CSA.
- Avoid cheap, uncertified batteries and chargers.
✅ CHARGE SAFELY
- Always use the charger supplied by the manufacturer or one approved for the device.
- Charge devices on a hard, non-combustible surface.
- Do not overcharge batteries. Unplug the device once it is fully charged.
✅ RECYCLE RESPONSIBLY
- Never throw lithium-ion batteries in the garbage or regular recycling bins.
- Take old or damaged batteries to an approved battery recycling location. Visit Call2Recycle to find a drop-off site near you.
⚠️ Stop using your device immediately and call 9-1-1 if the battery:
- Smells unusual
- Gets excessively hot
- Makes popping or crackling sounds
- Changes shape or color
Protect your home and family by learning how to Buy, Charge, and Recycle lithium-ion batteries safely.
October 4
Peachland Fire & Rescue Service firefighters spend countless hours planning, preparing, training, and teaching to help keep our community safe.
As they get ready for Fire Prevention Week (October 4-10), Peachland Fire & Rescue is asking residents to help by taking a few simple steps to protect themselves and their families:
- Test your smoke alarms and replace batteries if needed
- Practice your home escape plan
- Charge devices safely and avoid overloading outlets or power bars
- Recycle old and damaged batteries properly
- Take a few minutes to learn some new, and not-so-new, fire safety tips
Fire prevention starts with awareness and preparation. Together, we can reduce the risk of fires and make Peachland a safer community for everyone.
Visit the Fire Prevention Week website and for safety information, tips, and resources.
CHECK OUT THIS GREAT CONTEST for kindergarten to Grade 7 kids - Scan the QR Code for details.
