"Maybe I didn't replace you...."
Barrie Fire and Emergency Service is using humour to drive home this year's theme of Fire Prevention Week: "Don't Wait. Check the date. Replace smoke alarms every 10 years."
Councillor Doug Shipley speaks at today's event. Sue Sgambati/BarrieTodayThe Fire Service premiered a video starring Deputy Fire Chief Jeff Weber singing key fire safety points to "Never crossed my mind," a parody of Willie Nelson's "You were always on my mind."
In the video, firefighters joked they were forced to "stoop" to karaoke to get the message out about smoke alarms.
"It's a light hearted attempt at driving home the importance of fire safety," said Weber. "I felt strongly about the message...so I agreed to put myself out there."
Fire officials and politicians gathered at fire headquarters on Dunlop Street West Tuesday morning to formally launch Fire Prevention Week which runs from Oct. 9 - 16.
Weber says firefighters aim to reach 1,000 homes during the week to personally remind people to check their smoke and CO alarms.
"We have an average of 75 percent non-compliance," Weber told the news conference. "That's a disturbing statistic in our own community."
Councillor and Acting Mayor Doug Shipley read out Mayor Lehman's proclamation of Fire Prevention Week in Barrie and sheepishly recounted his own fire safety fail.
Shipley said he called the fire department after a beeping alarm in the middle of the night, only to learn he too was guilty of not replacing his smoke and CO alarms every ten years.
"I am living proof that most people do not check them, even though you're being careful by having a fire alarm system."
Dennis Gagnon of the Ontario Fire Marshal and Emergency Management reminded home owners about the timing of legislation that required a smoke detector on every floor of the home.
"Ten years ago the law changed," he said. "All those alarms installed in 2006 are approaching the end of their life cycle."
As part of many events marking Fire Prevention Week, members of the public are urge to check the date on their alarms and if they're expired, drop them off at fire headquarters with proof they've been replaced.
People can then enter a draw to win dinner for six at Fire Station 1.
From 6 - 8 p.m. tonight, Barrie Fire has teamed up with Dominos Pizza to deliver pies and if you're smoke/CO alarms are working, the pizza is free.
For more events during Fire Prevention Week call 705-728-3199 or visit Barrie.ca/FPW
Sue Sgambati/BarrieToday
