October 6, 2015 "” Thunder Bay Fire Rescue kicked-off National Fire Prevention Week at St. Pius X Elementary School today. Grade 4 and 5 students at St. Pius X educated a gymnasium full of classmates, teachers, Thunder Bay Fire Rescue personnel and Fire Chief John Hay on the importance of working smoke alarms and home fire safety.

Fire Prevention Week runs from Oct. 4-10, and this year's theme is "Hear the beep where you sleep".

"It's the law to have a working smoke alarm on every level of your home and outside all sleeping areas," said Fire Chief John Hay. "Thunder Bay Fire Rescue also recommends installing smoke alarms inside bedrooms."

Chief Hay also explained that once alerted by your smoke alarm you should initiate your home fire escape plan. "Working smoke alarms provide you with the early warning needed to safely escape a fire emergency.  It's important to practice your home fire escape plan so in an actual fire emergency everyone knows what to do."

Thunder Bay Fire Rescue reminds citizens to test their smoke and CO alarms every month. Only working smoke and CO alarms save lives. For more information on fire safety, go to www.thunderbay.ca/fire

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Contact:  Anthony Stokaluk, Public Education Officer - Thunder Bay Fire Rescue, 625-2802, cell 631-7033 or astokaluk@thunderbay.ca