Every second counts during a fire. Seconds can mean the difference between residents of our community escaping safely from a fire or having their lives end in tragedy. That is why the theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week is “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!”
It is so important for every home and business to have a good fire escape plan, and to have two exits from each room that lead to the outside. It is also important that fire drills are practiced twice a year, and the recommendation from the National Fire Protection Association is to conduct a fire drill once at night and once during the day, so that everyone in your home can practice using different ways out.
Statistics reveal that 78 per cent of deaths from fire occur in the home, with most of the fatalities taking place between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., while occupants are asleep. That is why it is so critical to develop an escape plan, because one needs to react quickly.
During a fire, the smoke is black and very thick, and smoke inhalation causes more deaths than the flames of the fire. There is no time for indecision during a fire, since an entire home can be engulfed within five minutes.
The best precaution is to have a smoke alarm installed on every level of the home. It is also important to keep smoke alarms clean and dust-free, and to have them checked monthly. It is also important to replace the batteries in smoke alarms yearly, and to replace the alarms themselves every 10 years.
During Fire Prevention Week, firefighters throughout the country will focus on prevention through education, demonstrations and installation of smoke alarms in low-income and elderly apartments and houses. There are also many visits to local schools, where information sessions help educate children on having an escape plan in the event of fire.
Fire Prevention Week is a time not only to teach about fire prevention but also to acknowledge the value and sacrifice of local firefighters, many of whom are volunteers. Firefighting can be a rewarding career and exciting opportunity to serve one’s community. Firefighters protect homes and businesses when fires unexpectedly break out, saving millions of dollars in potential property loss. These invaluable workers also make emergency medical calls and may help preserve lives until paramedics or other medical services can respond.
Despite the risk involved in firefighting, many find it to be a very satisfying career. With a good fire escape plan, residents are helping those valuable firefighters win the race against fighting the fire. The most important thing are the people in the home — so make sure that everyone knows how to get out in case of a fire in a safe, and quick manner.
