Inuvik (Oct 06/03) - Two minutes is all it takes for a fire to get out of control, said Melissa Schab, a firefighter with the Inuvik Fire Department.

And that's why this year's national Fire Prevention Week theme is When Fire Strikes: Get Out! Stay Out!.

Fire departments all over Canada will be pushing this message while hosting open houses, visiting schools and giving free workshops.

"Fire grows and spreads so quickly. You may have as little as two minutes to get out to safety," said Schab.

The most important thing a family can have is a fire escape plan.

"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail," said Schab.

"A lot of fires are preventable. It's just a matter of safety in the home."

She said in the past few weeks the department has been called out to fires that could have been prevented with common sense.

A mattress fire on Camsell Place was caused by a hot curling iron left on a bed. Fortunately, the department put out the fire before the whole house went up in flames.

Tips, snacks and fire trucks

The week kicked off with an open house at the fire hall, Oct. 5. The family-oriented event had hands-on activities, snacks, fire truck rides and games.

But there's still more to come this week.

On Oct. 8 adults interested in joining the fire department, finding out more about fire prevention or education can visit the fire hall during the department's regular meeting, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Kids with an artistic flare can enter original drawings in the Fire Prevention drawing contest. The deadline is Oct. 9. The drawing should show what fire prevention means to you.

Students can submit their entries to their teacher. There will be prizes for each age category.

Both departments plan to spend some time in the schools talking to kids about fire safety and prevention.