Develop a home escape plan
By Karen Herreros
Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.
This is the theme for Fire Prevention Week Oct. 9-15, reinforcing the critical importance of developing a home escape plan with all members of the household, and practicing it regularly.
In addition, this October represents the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week, the nation’s longest running public-health observance on record.
“Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape” promotes life-saving messages that can mean the difference between life and death in a fire. Developing a home escape plan with all members of the household
and practicing it regularly ensures that everyone knows what to do when the smoke alarm sounds.
Following are key messages behind this year’s “Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape” theme.
Make sure your home escape 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 sleeping area and on every level of your home. 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 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 at least once during the day and at night.
We are hoping to put together an open house at Fire Station 37 on Oct. 15, and are planning our golf tournament fundraiser at Eagle Crest in Escondido on Oct. 22. Check our website, srfiresafe.org, and Facebook for more information on both.