Fire Prevention Week wraps with fire safety reminders and Breast Cancer awareness

by Bobby-Jo Keats

Windsor Fire and Rescue Services teamed up with the Canadian Cancer Society Oct. 11-13 at

Devonshire Mall and families were being educated about everything from electrical safety to how to

create a home fire escape plan.

 

The theme this year was “prevent kitchen fires and get cooking with fire safety.”

 

“We have seen lots of families and lots of children again this year,” said assistant chief of fire

prevention John Lee.  Young children were shown demonstrations of how to avoid potential dangers by

receiving cooking safety tips.

 

“We are so happy to be here and educating people because that is our goal,” said Lee.  Children

were able to take home all kinds of information, including maps to draw with their parents to create

their own home fire escape plans.  They were also given fire hats and goodie bags containing

information regarding fire safety.

 

 

 

Outside the mall, children were able to put out fires with the firefighters during live

demonstrations.  They were also able to go on fire truck rides in the parking lot or could just take a look

around and sit inside.  Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Fire and Rescue Services

turned one of their fire trucks pink.  This brought a lot of attention as people were allowed to sign

their names on the truck and there was a fireman’s boot set up for donations to the Canadian Cancer

Society.

 

“Anything we can do to raise awareness to something of this nature, we love to do it,” said

firefighter Robert Donaldson.

 

Tanya Larocque brought her eight-year-old daughter Brooklyn and two-year-old son Brodi to the

event.  Her children got to take turns sitting in the fire truck and were happy to pose for pictures.

 

“The kids love it,” said Larocque.  Her children had an opportunity to sign their names on the

pink truck and were all smiles while firefighters stood by answering questions.  She said the children

enjoyed every moment of learning about fire safety.

 

“It’s just wonderful and such a great cause,” she said.