Arvada Fire is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week from Oct. 9-15. Started in 1922, Fire Prevention Week was created in memory of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 to help children, adults and teachers learn how to be prepared and stay safe in case of a fire.
Did you know that today’s homes burn faster than ever? You may have less than two minutes from the time a smoke alarm sounds to safely escape a home fire. Your ability to get out depends on early warnings and advance planning.
That's why this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape,” is designed to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires.
Fire Prevention Week Safety Materials
Everyone needs to be prepared in advance so they know what to do when a smoke alarm sounds. Arvada Fire encourages all residents to embrace the 2022 theme by planning and practicing a home fire escape and by safely installing and maintaining smoke alarms.
Here are some tips from this year’s theme:
- Make sure your escape plan meets the needs of all family members, including children, older adults and those with sensory or physical disabilities. Don’t forget to include family pets in your plan!
- Draw a map of your home with all doors and windows. Know at least two ways out of every room and make sure all doors and windows open easily.
- Practice your home fire drill twice a year with everyone in the household, at least once during the day and at night.
- Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of your home.
- For the best protection, use combination smoke and carbon monoxide alarms that are interconnected throughout the home. These can be installed by a qualified electrician so that when one sounds, they all sound.
- Finally, designate an outside meeting place at a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet in case of an emergency.
For more information on planning your fire escape or on installing the right smoke alarms for your home, visit the official Fire Prevention Week website.
Need a hand adopting these tips from Fire Prevention Week? We’re here to help! Learn more about our home safety visits and discover how we can help keep you and your family safe.