Stamford Professional Fire Fighters Encourage Families to Have a Fire Safety Plan

From the Stamford Professional Fire Fighters Association:

STAMFORD, CT - As part of National Fire Prevention Week (October 9 to 15th), the Stamford Professional Fire Fighters Association, in conjunction with Nationwide Insurance’s Make Safe Happen program, is promoting Saturday, October 15, as National Home Fire Drill Day to raise awareness of the importance of having a home evacuation plan in case of a fire.

Currently, only one in five parents practice fire escape plans according to studies by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF). The IAFF also reveals that only half of parents reported that their children are aware of actions to take if a fire breaks out at home. The results of not having a fire escape plan can be catastrophic, as eight out of every ten fire deaths result from home fires.

“Having a fire escape plan can be the difference between life and death,” said Stamford Professional Fire Fighter Association President Brendan Keatley. “Studies prove that no more than 50% of parents believe their children know what to do if a fire breaks out at home and only 20% actually confuct a practice drill with their children at home. We believeiIt is important for parents to sit down with their children and develop a plan to get out safely in the event of a fire.”

Tips to go over with the family on Home Fire Drill Day include:

• Draw out an evacuation plan based on the exits around the home.
• Pick a family safety spot near home but a safe distance away.
• Test your smoke alarms with your kids so they know what they sound like.
• For children under six, assign an adult to help them.
• Use a timer to ensure everyone is at the safety spot in two minutes or less, which is how much time a family has to safely exit a house.

Keatley also suggested that families with bedrooms on a second floor might consider having accessible escape ladders stowed under beds or in a closet, should access to the home’s main entry and exit be blocked.

For more information and tips on how to stay safe and develop a fire escape plan, visit homefiredrillday.com or visit the Stamford Fire Fighters on social media for more tips and guidance at Stamford Fire Truths on Facebook and @FireTruths on Twitter.

Image via the Stamford Professional Fire Fighters Association.