October 7-13 is Fire Prevention week, and the HFD wants to educate families on effective fire escape plans. It is vital to think fast and get out quickly when the smoke alarm sounds, which means preparing a home fire escape plan will save lives. Fire can spread rapidly, leaving as little as two minutes to escape safely once the alarm sounds.
Always be aware that a first choice for an escape route can be blocked by smoke or flames, so it’s important to have two ways out. This year’s Fire Prevention Week theme, “Have 2 Ways Out” focuses on the importance of fire escape planning and practice.
Make a home escape plan:
- Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily.
- Draw a map of your home showing all doors and windows.
- Know at least two ways out of each room.
- Have a designated outside landmark in front of your home for all family members to meet.
- Discuss the plan with all family members.
- Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.
- Once outside of the home, do not go back inside.
- Get out and stay out.
- Practice the home escape plan twice a year.
