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Fire prevention begins with you
Posted 10/9/2012 Updated 10/9/2012
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Commentary by Tyndall Fire and Emergency Services
325th Civil Engineer Squadron
10/9/2012 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- 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. If you woke up to a fire in your home, how much time do you think you would have to get to safety? According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), one-third of American households estimated they thought they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life threatening. Unfortunately, the time available is often less.
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 Fire Prevention Week theme, "Have 2 Ways Out!" focuses on the importance of fire escape planning and practice.
Tyndall Fire and Emergency Services is teaming up with the NFPA during Fire Prevention Week, October 7-13, 2012, to urge everyone to "Have 2 Ways Out!", and will be hosting activities where Tyndall personnel can learn more about the power of fire prevention, escape planning and the technologies that are available to protect their families from fire.
In 2010, U.S. fire departments responded to 369,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 13,350 civilian injuries, 2,640 civilian deaths, and $6.9 billion in direct property damage. One structure fire was reported every 85 seconds. Fire is unpredictable and moves faster than most people realize. Having a tried and true escape plan with two ways out is essential to ensuring your family's safety should fire break out in your home.
Tyndall Fire and Emergency Services recommends the following tips for planning your family's escape:
Make a map of your home. Mark a door and a window that can be used to get out of every room.
Choose a meeting place outside in front of your home. Draw a picture of it on your escape plan.
Write the emergency telephone number to the fire department on your escape plan.
Have a grown-up sound the smoke alarm and practice your escape plan with everyone.
Keep your escape plan on the refrigerator and remind grown-ups to practice at least twice each year.
To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities please contact Tyndall Fire and Emergency Services at 283-2909 or email fireprevention@tyndall.af.mil. To learn more about "Have 2 Ways Out!" visit NFPA's Web site at www.firepreventionweek.org. Reproduced from NFPA's Fire Prevention Week website, www.firepreventionweek.org. ©2012 NFPA. |
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