National Fire Prevention Week is October 7-13, 2012. This year’s theme is “Have 2 Ways Out!” which stresses the importance of fire escape planning.
The reality is that when fire strikes, your home could be engulfed in smoke and flames in just a few minutes. It is important to have a home fire escape plan that prepares your family to think fast and get out quickly when the smoke alarm sounds. What if your first escape route is blocked by smoke or flames? That’s why having two ways out is such a key part of your plan. This year’s theme,“Have 2 Ways Out!”, focuses on the importance of fire escape planning and practice. Download this Fire Safety Checklist and keep your family safe!
In 2009, there were 1,348,500 fires reported in the United States (down 7% from 2008). These fires caused 3,010 deaths, 17,050 injuries, and $12.5 billion in property damage. Many home fires are preventable by following these key fire safety tips:
- Watch your cooking
Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove. - Give space heaters space
Keep fixed and portable space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn. Turn off heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep. - Smoke outside
Ask smokers to smoke outside. Have sturdy, deep ashtrays for smokers. - Keep matches and lighters out of reach
Keep matches and lighters up high, out of the reach of children, preferably in a cabinet with a child lock. - Inspect electrical cords
Replace cords that are cracked, damaged, have broken plugs, or have loose connections. - Be careful when using candles
Keep candles at least one foot from anything that can burn. Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to sleep. - Have a home fire escape plan
Make a home fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year. - Install smoke alarms
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Interconnect smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound. - Test smoke alarms
Test smoke alarms at least once a month and replace batteries once a year or when the alarm “chirps” to tell you the battery is low. Replace any smoke alarm that is more than 10 years old. - Install sprinklers
If you are building or remodeling your home, install residential fire sprinklers. Sprinklers can contain and may even extinguish a fire in less time than it would take the fire department to arrive.
Download this Planning Sheet & Learn how to make a home fire escape plan for your family! 
Source: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA®). www.nfpa.org
Check out the local Fire Safety & Prevention Events happening across Cape Cod:
- Yarmouth Fire Department’s annual Fire Prevention Open House, Saturday, October 13, 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Yarmouth Fire Station Three, 520 Buck Island Rd. W. Yarmouth.
There will be fun activities, demonstrations and free food. We will have Dunk the Diver, Smokey the Bear, Moon Bounce and static displays of Fire Apparatus. There will be a demonstration of YFD Tower 41 (100 foot aerial tower), and a Jaws of Life automobile extracation.
Food:
Papa Gino’s Pizza & YFD Famous Hot Dogs
Everything is free!
For more info call: 508-398-2212.
- Fire Safety Day will be held in conjunction with Hyannis & several other Cape Cod area Fire
Departments in honor of National Fire Safety Week on Saturday October 20, 2012 at the Cape Cod Mall.
Demos and events will be taking place every half hour in Sears Court and in the parking lot near Regal Cinema:
• Smokey the Bear will be roaming the mall passing out literature
• Turnout gear display and demos
• Safety House display in the mall parking lot near Regal Cinema
