One of the most destructive forces today, and one of the most preventable, is fire. Once it's out of control, it can destroy a family's home, a large business, a farm, an entire forest or several hundred or thousand acres of prairie grassland - and it can kill or seriously injure people and animals.

For all its well-known destructive power, and images of homes or businesses being destroyed by fire in both large and small communities, residents need to be reminded how to prevent fires from occurring, and every size community needs to have the protection of a fire department.

Fires are almost totally preventable, and in those cases where a fire begins beyond the control of anyone, there are measures, people and equipment in place to help deal with it.

In our homes, businesses and schools, and other places of activity in the community, we all can play a part in being vigilant to ensure no unsafe practices are used, and no unsafe or hazardous conditions exist that can bring about a fire at a time when it's least expected.

With Fire Prevention Week, to be held Oct. 7-13 across Canada, residents everywhere are again reminded to check on those situations that are in their control, such as being careful in kitchens or around any use of fire or flammable substances in or around the home or business.

We are also reminded to check on things like the batteries in our smoke detectors, ensuring they can continue working to alert us in the event that a fire does occur.

The theme for this year's Fire Prevention Week is to "Practice Your Escape Plan." With the changes that can occur in a home on a yearly basis, it's important each person knows exactly what they need to do and where to go in the event of a fire, because when it occurs, there's no time to try and think of a way out; you have to act quickly.

According to national statistics, residential properties continue to be the largest source of fires in Canada. In the most recent year available, 2001, a total of 55,323 fires were reported across Canada, of which 21,494 were in homes. There were a total of 337 fire deaths (273 in homes), 2,310 fire injuries and over $1.4 billion in property loss.

Almost three-quarters of fire deaths were in residential homes, where smoke alarms can alert you early on, where an escape plan can mean the difference between living and dying. In addition, the loss in property in residential fires amounted to $632 million, which is 45 per cent of the total loss in the country that year.

In Weyburn and surrounding area, there are many dedicated men and women who have committed to help protect their communities from fire; in most cases, they receive rigourous training and undergo regular practices to stay on top of the best techniques to fight fires.

We need to take time to thank them for their hard work, and to ensure we make their work easier by taking measures to prevent fires wherever we call home, or work and play in the community. - Greg Nikkel