The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) and Safe Kids Kansas is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week this coming week (Oct. 9-15). This year’s campaign, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape,” educates everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires.
Great Bend firefighters will visit local elementary schools and preschools throughout the week.
Today’s homes burn faster than ever. An individual may have as little as two minutes to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds. The ability to get out of a home during a fire depends on early warning from smoke alarms and advance planning.
“Fire is fast. That’s why it is important to have early detection, so your family has time to get outside to safety when every moment counts,” said Cherie Sage, Safe Kids Kansas. “Make sure your home has working smoke alarms on every level, in every sleeping room and outside of each sleeping area and test them regularly.”
Last year in Kansas, home fires caused 18 civilian deaths and 184 injuries, according to the National Fire Incident Reporting System, and Kansas fire departments responded to 2,903 home fires.
“It is important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape plan. Everyone needs to be prepared in advance, so that they know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds,” Fire Marshal Doug Jorgensen said. “Every home is unique, and that means that every home fire escape plan will be different. Have a plan for everyone in the home. Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need assistance to wake up and get out.”
OSFM and Safe Kids Kansas want to share these key home fire escape planning tips:
• Make sure your plan meets the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
• Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home. For the best protection, smoke alarms should be interconnected, so when one sounds, they all sound.
• Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.
• Have an outside meeting place that is a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet.
• Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year, with everyone in the household, including guests. Practice the fire drill at least once during the day and at night.
For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and fire prevention, visit firemarshal.ks.gov/197/1750/Fire-Prevention-Week or visit SafeKidsKansas.org.
