It’s October and you know what that means… FIRE PREVENTION WEEK/MONTH!

Fire Prevention Week is the week of October 9th which commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. While it is considered Fire Prevention WEEK, most fire departments promote fire prevention efforts all month long. So, what can you do this month to make sure your family is safe from the devastating effects of a fire? Not sure? Use the NFPA’s Fire Prevention Theme below as a starting point:

In a home fire, families have approximately two-five minutes to escape to safety. That’s not a lot of time at all! Ever been running late for work or an appointment and have gotten behind a bus or been stuck at a stoplight? How long did those delays seem to take? Forever, right? It may have seemed like forever, but it was probably under a few minutes. Every second of that time truly does count! That’s why having an escape plan and knowing what to do is so important!

Step 1: Have working smoke alarms in the home: one in each sleeping area and one on each level of the home.

Step 2: Develop a plan as a family so that everyone knows where to do and what to do. Make sure that everyone know two ways out of every room in the home. And remember – the front door may not always be the best, FIRST way out. If you are closer to the back of the house, get out using a back door or window and come around the front to your meeting place.

Step 3: Practice the plan. How did it go? Did everyone make it out quickly? Do any modifications need to be made? If yes, make the necessary changes and practice again. If no, go to Step 4.

Step 4: Post your escape plan where everyone can see it. Remember that you may need extra copies posted at various heights so that it will be at eye level for everyone in the home.

For more information about fire safety and escape planning, feel free to comment below or contact your local fire department.

And remember — EVERY SECOND COUNTS!