Submitted by the Santee Fire Department
If you woke up to a fire in your home, how much time do you think you would have to get to safety? The results from a poll taken by the non-profit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) indicate that one-third of Americans thought they would have at least six minutes before a fire in their home would become life threatening. Unfortunately, the time available is often less.
That’s why the Santee Fire Department is teaming up with NFPA to urge residents to “Have Two Ways Out!” This year’s theme focuses on the importance of fire escape planning and practice.
In 2010, U.S. fire departments responded to 369,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 13,350 civilian injuries, 2,640 civilian deaths, and $6.9 billion in direct damage.
“One home structure fire was reported every 85 seconds in 2010,” said Santee Fire Captain Brad Peterson. “Fire is unpredictable and moves faster than most people realize. Having a tried and true escape plan with two ways out is essential to ensuring your family’s safety should fire break out in your home.”
The Santee Fire Department recommends the following tips for planning your family’s escape:
- Make a map of your home. Mark a door and a window that can be used to get out of every room.
- Choose a meeting place outside in front of your home. This is where everyone can meet once they’ve escaped. Draw a picture of your outside meeting place on your escape plan.
- Have a grown-up sound the smoke alarm and practice your escape plan with everyone living in your home.
- Keep your escape plan on the refrigerator and remind grown-ups to have your family practice the plan twice a year or whenever anyone in your home celebrates a birthday.
The Santee Fire Department will be hosting a Community Safety Fair and Open House on Saturday, October 20th, 2012 from 10am-2pm at Santee Fire Station 4, 8950 Cottonwood Ave. to promote “Have Two Ways Out!” Through this educational, family-oriented activity, residents can learn more about the importance of fire escape planning and practice, as well as the power of prevention.
To find out more about the Santee Fire Department’s Community Safety Fair/Open House, please see the attached flyer or contact the Santee Fire Department at 619-258-4100 ext. 207.
To learn more about “Have Two Ways Out!” visit NFPA’s Web site at www.firepreventionweek.org
Also see: Photos: Santee Third-Graders Spread Fire Safety Through Art
