Each year since 1922 during the week of October 9, the NFPA sponsors Fire Prevention Week. Fire Prevention Week is held annually commemorating the Great Chicago Fire and is the longest running public health observance. This week is marked every year by a theme to keep people safe in case of fires. This year’s theme is “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.”
For the 100th anniversary of NFPA sponsoring Fire Prevention Week, they wanted to focus on how to keep yourself and others nearby safe in case of a fire. Today’s homes burn faster than ever, so time is of the essence if a fire occurs. In some situations, you may only have two minutes or less to escape safely after the smoke alarm first sounds.
As timing is so important, there is truly no time to waste trying to figure out the best escape route. This Fire Prevention Week, sit down with your family and discuss a fire escape route and plan. Decide which exits make most sense based on where you are in the house and where you will meet up outside to avoid confusion about who escaped.
This is also a good time to discuss responsibilities. Who is in charge of calling emergency personnel? Do you have pets that you need to include in your plan – and can you do so without risking your own safety? Is there someone living in your house that won’t be able to escape without assistance? Who is expected to help them out?
The best escape plans include two possible exits from each room and are easy for everyone to remember. If it helps, draw a map to indicate exits and a permanent landmark for a meeting place close by (but far enough away to be safe).
Once plans are in place – practice, practice, practice. The more you practice, the more comfortable each member of your household will be in case of a true emergency.
Additionally, take the time each month to test your smoke alarms. With how little time there is to escape safely in case of fire, it is imperative that you have as much heads up as possible and your smoke alarms work effectively.
This week, take the time to make sure that you are prepared. The more prepared you are, the better the outcomes will be if an emergency occurs.
If you have recently experienced a fire and need a public adjuster to help you get the best-case scenario from your insurance company, trust Norcia Insurance Consultants. Call us at 866-512-LOSS (5677) or request a free consultation!
