UNDATED, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Sunday, October 6 through Saturday, October 12 officially marks National Fire Prevention Week 2019, and and local safety officials are offering tips in case of a structure fire.
E.S.C.A.P.E. Inc. Fire Safety President Michael McLeieer says every home should have a fire escape plan.
“You should always include two ways out of any room,” McLeieer said. “One way is traditionally through the door, but a second way out could be the window. We’re starting to find when people are going into smoke-filled hallways, many times they’re not making it outside because the smoke and the gasses are very toxic.”
McLeieer also advises citizens to sleep with their doors closed.
“That closed door, as news has reported, can slow down that travel of smoke and fire and can actually give people a few extra moments to be able to get outside and go out the window and go to a meeting place outside.”
Additionally, the E.S.C.A.P.E. website lists the following tips for citizens:
- Draw or map out the layout of your home, marking two exits from every room (typically a door and a window) and a path from each exit to the outside.
- Pick a meeting place outside in front of your home where everyone will meet upon exiting (examples include a sidewalk, fence, driveway, or neighbor’s house).
- Mark the location of all smoke alarms in your home. (There should be a least one on every level, in each bedroom, and near all sleeping areas).
- Make sure everyone knows how to call 911 or the local emergency number from a mobile phone or neighbor’s phone once they’re safety outside.
More information about fire safety and prevention, including a grid map to create a personal fire escape plan, can be found online at http://escapeinc.org.
Additional information can be found online at https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Staying-safe/Preparedness/Fire-Prevention-Week?.
