NFPA: Practice Your Escape Plan! Fire Prevention Week '07 Starts Sunday
The National Fire Protection Association is issuing a special call to action this Fire Prevention Week 2007, Oct. 7-13: Practice Your Escape Plan!
In 2006, 80 percent of all fire deaths were caused by home fires, with roughly 2,600 people killed by home fires and 12,500 injured, according to NFPA reports.
"It is not enough just to have a home fire escape plan in place; it is vital that everyone living in the home practice the plan," said Judy Comoletti, AVP of public education for NFPA. "You can have as little as two minutes to get out when fire strikes."
Sparky the Fire Dog®, NFPA's official mascot, is asking the public to practice their escape plan by participating in The Great American Fire DrillTM, and to that end, NFPA offers the following tips for home fire escape planning:
- Develop a fire escape plan that identifies two ways out of each room and a family meeting place outside.
- Make sure your plan allows for any specific needs in your household. If everyone knows what to do, everyone can get out quickly.
- Practice your plan, at least twice a year.
- Some studies have shown that some children and adults may not awaken to the sound of a smoke alarm; they may need help waking up.
- If the smoke alarm sounds: Go to your closest exit, and if there is smoke on your way out, turn and use your second way out. If you must exit through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your exit. Don't take time to pick up belongings; just get out and help others get out. Move fast but stay calm.
More information on Fire Prevention Week is available on NFPA's Web site at: www.firepreventionweek.org.