Fire prevention week reminds people to make an escape plan

The St. John’s Regional Fire Department says it’s time for Fire Prevention Week, and from Oct. 6-12 the department is joining forces with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to remind residents to plan and practice their escape.

It’s a message that focuses on what a home-escape plan entails and the importance of practising it.

Capt. Mike Maher states in a news release that “these messages are very important, particularly because today’s homes burn faster than ever.

New homes are being built with more open spaces and unprotected lightweight construction, in addition to modern home furnishings being made of synthetic fibres. These factors can contribute to an increased burn rate.”

The release notes that if a fire breaks out in your home, there may only be a few minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Everyone needs to know what to do and where to go if there is a fire.

Safety tips include: develop 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 an outside meeting place (like a tree, light pole or mailbox) a safe distance from the home. 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.

Further tips are: if the smoke 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 to your way out; call the fire department from outside your home.

In recognition of the week, the fire department says it will have many events taking place throughout the region.