100th Anniversary of Fire Prevention Week
From Sunday, October 9, to Saturday, October 15, 2022, the Summit Fire Department will join firefighters across the nation in celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Fire Prevention Week. With today’s home fires burning faster than ever, the National Fire Prevention Association is focusing on home escape planning and practice with its topic for this year, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.”
“Home escape planning is one of the best things you can do for your family, and it is our hope that Fire Prevention Week will encourage Summit residents to make an escape plan if they don’t already have one,” explains Fire Chief Eric Evers. “Every family and home are different, so every home fire escape plan will look different too. Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need assistance to wake up and get out in an emergency. Keep this in mind when making your plan.”
The Summit Fire Department is sharing the following tips from the National Fire Protection Association for home fire escape planning:
Draw a map of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors. • Make sure all escape routes are clear and that doors and windows open easily. • Smoke alarms should be installed in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.
Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the alarm and what to do when it sounds.
Pick an outside meeting place that is a safe distance in front of your home where everyone can meet. This should be something permanent like a neighbor’s house, a light post, mailbox, or stop sign.
Everyone in the home should know the fire department’s emergency number and how to call once they are safely outside.
Practice day and nighttime home fire drills. Share your home escape plans with overnight guests.
Visit cityofsummit.org/homefiresafety to view family worksheets and other resources for home fire escape planning. For more information on National Fire Prevention Week, visit nfpa.org/fpw.
