GREENVILLE - Greenville Fire-Rescue is teaming with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) this week to inform you of the importance of fire escape planning and practice.
According to the NFPA, one-third of American households estimate they thought they would have at least six minutes before a fire in their home would become life threatening. But officials say that time is often less.
Oct. 7 – 13 is Fire Prevention Week. This year’s theme by Greenville Fire-Rescue is “Have Two Ways Out!”
Assistant Fire Chief/Fire Marshal Greg McDonald says, “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.”
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 damage.
Greenville Fire-Rescue 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. This is where everyone can meet once they have escaped. Draw a picture of your outside meeting place on your escape plan.
- Write the emergency telephone number for the fire department on your escape plan.
- Have an adult sound the smoke alarm and practice your escape plan with everyone living in your home.
- Keep your escape plan on the refrigerator and remind adults to have family practice the plan twice a year or whenever anyone in your home celebrates a birthday.
Greenville Fire-Rescue invites everyone to visit any of the local fire stations to learn more about escape planning and fire prevention. You can contact Greenville Fire-Rescue at 903-457-2940.