Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services are keeping busy during Fire Prevention Week.
They're encouraging residents to get a CHiRP Check.
"The firefighters will come to your house and we come in and we talk to you about fire safety," said Public Educator Whitney Burk. "We made sure that your alarms are working, that they're located in the right spot, that they're not expired, that's a big issue in our community. We talk to you about home escape planning, and just making sure that you're protected, and that your family is safe."
Burk said if they do find an expired alarm, they will replace it on the spot.
"We do ask those families that are able to afford to put alarms in their homes just to donate back to our program. It just goes into a pool for the next home," said Burk. "Those who may not be able to afford alarms, we just give them to them free of charge."
Burk said the fire department is reminding residents that smoke and carbon monoxide alarms don't last forever.
"They do have a manufacturing date on them, they usually last about 10 years," said Burk. "And one misconception that we find a lot is that people don't realize that even hard-wired alarms do need to be replaced."
To book a CHiRP Check, CLICK HERE.
Chatham-Kent Fire and Emergency Services will also be hosting a couple of events this week.
On Friday, they're hosting Coffee with Firefighters at the McDonald's in Wallaceburg, and on Saturday, Station #18 in Blenheim is holding an open house.
They are also running a contest on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to help spread the word about the CHiRP Check program, and will be giving away a Nest Protect Wi-Fi Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarm.
