Iberia Rural Fire Protection District: Plan Your Escape

Volunteers at Iberia Rural Fire Protection District are trained and ready to respond to home fires as fast as they can. But when a home fire breaks out, the people inside may have only a few minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds prior to help arriving.

That is why Iberia Rural Fire Protection District is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape,” from Oct. 9-15. In celebration of the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week, this year’s theme works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires.

According to an NFPA survey, only one of every three American households have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan. One-third of American households who made an estimate thought they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life-threatening — and only 8% said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out.

But the time available is often less, which is why Iberia Fire Chief Greg Onstott encourages all residents to embrace the 2022 Fire Prevention Week theme.

Iberia Rural Fire Protection District wants to share these key home fire escape planning tips:

• 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 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.

Home fires can start with just a tiny spark, and the community counts on the volunteers of Iberia Rural Fire Protection to keep them safe. To learn more about ways you can help your community as a volunteer, visit: www.IberiaFire.org.