October 9th - 15th is Fire Prevention Week! We will be providing you with fire prevention information throughout the week.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, only 1 in 3 American households have developed and practiced a home fire escape plan. It's vital to plan ahead, as you may only have a few minutes to get out of your home safely if a fire breaks out. Everyone needs to know what to do and where to go in case of a fire.

The following are tips from the NFPA on escape planning:

• Make a home escape plan. Draw a map of your home showing all doors and windows. Discuss the plan with everyone in your home.
• Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily.
• Have a outside meeting place (like a tree, light pole or mailbox) a safe distance from the home where everyone should meet.
• Practice your home fire drill at night and during the day with everyone in your home, twice a year.
• Practice using different ways out.
• Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.
• Close doors behind you as you leave.

If the alarm sounds…

• If the alarm sounds, get out and stay out. Never go back inside for people or pets.
• If you have to escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke on your way out.
• Call the fire department from outside your home.

Reproduced from NFPA's Fire Prevention Week website, www.firepreventionweek.org. ©2011 NFPA.