Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 9-15

Central Fire Department Urges You to Prevent Fire

CENTRAL — What’s the best way to protect your family from fire? When it comes to fire, your best defense is a good offense.

The Central Fire Department is teaming up with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) during Oct. 9 through 15 to let our community know: “It’s Fire Prevention Week. Protect your Family from Fire!” This year, the campaign is urging people to protect their homes and families with life-saving technology and planning.

In 2009, U.S. fire departments responded to more than 360,000 home fires which caused 12,650 injuries and 2,565 deaths.

Seconds can mean the difference between life and death. It is crucial you take steps to prepare your family for the potential of a home fire by having an escape plan and practicing it.

Planning your Escape

• Pull together everyone in your household and make a plan. Walk through your home and inspect all possible ways out of your home.  Households with children should consider drawing a map of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors. Everyone in the household must understand the escape plan. When you walk through your plan, check to make sure the ways out are clear and doors and windows can be opened easily.

• Choose an outside meeting place (i.e. neighbor’s house, a light post, mailbox, or stop sign) a safe distance in front of your home where everyone can meet after their escape.

• If there are infants, older adults, or family members with mobility limitations, make sure that someone is assigned to assist them in the fire drill and in the event of an emergency. Assign a backup person to help out.

• Be fully prepared for a real fire: when a smoke alarm sounds, get outside immediately.

• Once you’re outside, stay outside! Under no circumstances should you ever go back into a burning building. Firefighters have the skills and equipment to perform rescues.

Putting your plan to the test

• Practice your home fire escape drill twice a year, making the drill as realistic as possible.

• Be prepared to escape under toxic smoke if necessary. When you do your fire drill, everyone in the family should practice getting low and going under the smoke to your way out.

• Closing doors on your way out slows the spread of fire.

• Smoke or fire may prevent you from exiting your home or apartment building. To prepare for an emergency like this, practice “sealing yourself in for safety” as part of your home fire escape plan. Close all doors between you and the fire. Use duct tape or towels to seal the door cracks and cover air vents to keep smoke from coming in.

The Central Fire Department is holding fun, family-oriented activities during Fire Prevention Week to support “It’s Fire Prevention Week. Protect your Family from Fire!” locally. We strongly encourage Central residents to participate in these events.  For more information about events, the Central Fire Department can be reached at 225-261-2000  e-mail: dglover@centralfd.org  Web site: centralfd.org