Dear editor:
I am a Cochrane resident, homeowner and new parent, and I recently learned that two of my coworkers lost family members in two separate house fires in Calgary, coincidentally in the same week.
This really woke me up to the fact that my family didn’t have a fire escape plan for our home, especially if a fire were to trap us in the bedrooms. Our house is a modest two-story home, however, like many houses here in Cochrane, and the surrounding area, the bedrooms are actually three stories up given the walkout basement.
I was shocked when I looked to buy a three-story fire escape ladder and couldn’t find one.
I went to stores and I searched online. While this item, particularly the one made by Kidde, is readily available in the U.S. by retailers that also operate in Canada, they do not carry it on this side of the border.
Fortunately, one Canadian online retailer sells it. I’ve only just order mine tonight, so I hope the process of receiving goes smoothly, but I ask you to include the retailer’s name here (safetysuperstore.ca) because this is a safety issue.
I can’t believe that in a community with so many homes where the bedrooms are three stories high there isn’t an obligation for this type of fire safety equipment to be available for purchase.
I spoke with our local fire department, which was great in reassuring me that my challenge to find one was worth it as it has the potential to save lives, however, they didn’t know of any retailers who sold it.
I am hoping that by sharing this information, I can help others who may be looking to buy one, two or three for their bedrooms as part of their fire escape plan and perhaps highlight to local retailers the need for someone to offer it for sale.
Diane Kashuba
