“Today’s homes burn faster than ever. You may have as little as two minutes or even less time to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds,” says Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy with the National Fire Protection Association. Her comments come ahead of the centennial of Fire Prevention Week being observed from Oct. 9-15.
The Lloydminster Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association to observe the occasion and invites residents to embrace the 2022 Fire Prevention Week theme of “Fire won’t wait-Plan your escape.”
“Have a plan for everyone in the home. Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need assistance to wake up and get out. Make sure that someone will help them,” says Lloydminster fire chief Leigh Sawicki.
Some other fire escape tips include:
- Make sure your 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 separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected so that 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.
The Lloydminster Fire Department will be holding an open house next Tuesday Oct. 11 at D.E. Gustavson Fire Station No. 2, 2716-59 Avenue from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.