TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- When a fire breaks out, a home could be engulfed in smoke and flames in just a few minutes. Planning ahead is the best way to protect your family from the dangerous reality of fires.
Tyndall Fire and Emergency Services is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association during Fire Prevention Week, October 8-14, to teach people that “every second counts” and to “have two ways out” in case of a fire emergency.
In an effort to educate communities throughout the U.S. about the importance of having an escape plan, the NFPA is promoting “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!” as the theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign.
To help promote the slogan, Tyndall Fire will be hosting activities where Team Tyndall can learn more about the power of fire prevention, escape planning and the technologies that are available to protect their families from fire.
Tyndall Fire and Emergency Services will support the campaign and educate the local community at the following dates and locations:
• Oct. 3 during the National Night Out event at the Balfour Beatty Community Center from 5 - 7 p.m.
• Oct. 3-5 at Tyndall Elementary School from 7:30 - 11:30 a.m.
• Oct. 7 during the Fire Prevention Fest at the Panama City Mall from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Oct. 10-13 at Tyndall’s Base Exchange informational booth from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Oct. 12 at Tyndall’s Child Development Center classroom from 9 - 11 a.m.
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 NFPA, one-third of American households assume they would have at least six minutes before a house fire 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.
According to the NFPA website, during a fire, every second truly counts. Each second could mean the difference between life and death.
Tyndall Fire and Emergency Services, along with the NFPA, recommends the following tips for creating your family’s escape plan:
• Draw 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 an adult sound the smoke alarm and practice your escape plan with the whole family.
• Keep your escape plan on the refrigerator and remind adults to practice at least twice each year.
• Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.
• Close doors behind you as you leave – this may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire.
• Once you get outside, stay outside. Never go back inside a burning building.
To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities please contact Tyndall Fire and Emergency Services at (850) 283-2909 or email fireprevention@tyndall.af.mil. To learn more about “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!” visit the NFPA’s website at www.firepreventionweek.org.