Families reminded to ‘Plan 2 ways out’ for Fire Prevention Week 2017

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Fire Prevention Week is observed Oct. 8-14 and this year’s theme is: “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!”

In a fire, seconds count. Seconds can mean the difference between residents of our community escaping safely from a fire or having their lives end in tragedy. It reinforces why everyone needs to have an escape plan. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has this information available on their site at http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/campaigns/fire-prevention-week-2.

This year’s key campaign messages:

• Draw a map of your home by using grid paper with all members of your household, marking two exits from each room and a path to the outside from each exit.

• Practice your home fire drill twice a year. Conduct one at night and one during the day with everyone in your home, and practice using different ways out.

• Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.

• Make sure the number of your home is clearly marked and easy for the fire department to find.

• 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.

When we talk about fire prevention week, it is important to practice the safety tips above, and plan for when an emergency occurs.

Prevention week is a perfect time to look at some unsafe practices that happen in our homes that could lead to fires starting, such as leaving food unattended while cooking, and using extension cords for long-term applications.

Chimneys are widely used in our area and not having them properly cleaned leads to a buildup of creosote causing a fire to ignite inside the flue. In addition to the fire safety tips, we typically practice for what to do when a fire occurs, it is important to take time to see how we can reduce fire from starting.

The Ohio Department of Commerce State Fire Marshal website http://www.com.ohio.gov/FIRE/ has significant resources on their prevention page.

Submitted by Chris Wysong

Wayne Township Fire Department

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