The Fermilab Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association®, the official sponsor of Fire Prevention WeekTM for more than 90 years — to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!”
The campaign works to educate everyone about the small but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.
NFPA statistics show that in 2017 U.S. fire departments responded to 357,000 home and structure fires. These fires caused 2,630 fire deaths and 10,600 fire injuries. On average, seven people died in a fire in a home per day between 2012 and 2016.
“These numbers show that home fires continue to pose a significant threat to safety,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of outreach and advocacy. “In a typical home fire, you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Escape planning and practice can help you make the most of the time you have, giving everyone enough time to get out.”
While NFPA and the Fermilab Fire Department are focusing on home fires, these messages apply to virtually any location.
Situational awareness is a skill people need to use wherever they go. No matter where you are, look for available exits. If the alarm system sounds, take it seriously and exit the building immediately.
For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and home escape planning, visit www.fpw.org or call the Fire Department at x3428.
Eliseo Anaya is a firefighter in the Fermilab Fire Department. Steve Hernandez is a lieutenant in the Fermilab Fire Department.
Visit the Fire Prevention Week website to learn the small but important actions you can take to keep you and those around you safe. Image: National Fire Prevention Association