Fire Prevention Week October 9-15
by Melissa R. Collum
The Prairie du Chien Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA)to celebrate the 100 anniversary of Fire Prevention Week, running from October 9-15, 2022.
The goal of this year’s campaign “Fire won’t Wait. Plan your escape” is to educate everyone about the important actions they can take to keep themselves and those round them safe from fires.
According to NFPA data, people’s home is actually where they are at greatest risk, with three-quarters (75 percent) of all U.S. fire deaths occurring in homes. Where people used to have more than 10 minutes to escape a typical home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds, today they may have as little as two minutes. Multiple factors contribute to this decrease in excape time: modering home furshenings are made of synthetic materials that burn faster and generate more tocis smoke.
The Prairie du Chien Fire Department will be visiting the local schools to give programs on fire safety.
There are a number of important facts the Department and the National Fire Prevention Association would like to share about planning home fire escape plans.
- Make sure your plan meets the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities, and the elderly.
- Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Smoke alarms should be
interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound.
- Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.
- Have an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet.
- Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in the household, including guests. Practice at least once during the day and at night.
More information and activities for children can be found on the NFPA Webpage: https://www.nfpa.org/fpw For children’s activities clink on the ‘Sparky’ link.