London teenager to receive Fire Safety Action Award

TORONTO, June 19, 2012 /CNW/ - Chantal Davison will receive a Fire Safety Action Award on June 26 in Toronto.  The annual Fire Safety Awards ceremony, hosted by the Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council, recognizes outstanding contributions to fire protection and prevention in Ontario.

When an electrical fire broke out in their London home, the Davison family had very little time to react. The fast-moving fire had already extended through the kitchen and the dining room area. With the house rapidly filling with thick, black smoke, the family - including then 12-year-old Chantal, her brother, sister and parents - escaped to safety by crawling outside on their hands and knees. Davison said "she got down on her hands and knees so she wouldn't breathe in the smoke."

Davison had learned what to do in this dangerous situation through the London Fire Department's elementary school fire safety program. She had also attended the London Children's Safety Village in previous years.

Davison's mother Jacquie credits the early warning they received, to safely escape, to working smoke alarms on every storey of their home. The family had also developed a home fire escape plan so everyone knew what to do and where to go.

"Knowledge can be the key to surviving a potentially deadly fire situation," said Ted Wieclawek, Ontario Fire Marshal.  "Even at the young age of 12, Chantal put her fire safety lessons to the test in a frightening incident she will never forget."

Fire Safety Action Awards are awarded to young children and teenagers who have actively demonstrated fire safety behaviours they have learned.  The Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council gratefully acknowledges the support of its sponsors in this event: Technical Standards and Safety Authority, The Co-operators Group, Kidde Canada Inc., Home Depot of Canada Inc., Proctor & Gamble Inc., Domino's Pizza of Canada, Electrical Safety Authority, Canadian Standards Association Group and Enbridge Gas Distribution.

Carol Gravelle, Office of the Fire Marshal, 416-325-3138