'Practice Your Escape Plan' theme for fire safety

It's time for Fire Prevention Week. From Oct. 7-13, Fort Belvoir Fire and Emergency Services is joining forces with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association to remind local residents to "Practice Your Escape Plan," the theme this year for the nationwide event. During the campaign, Fort Belvoir Fire and Emergency services firefighters and safety advocates will be spreading the word about the dangers of home fires and teaching local residents how to plan and practice escape from a home in case a fire occurs.
According to the latest NFPA research, 3,030 people died in 2005 in home fires-that's roughly eight people every day. Being alerted to a fire and knowing what to do to escape from one are extremely important, yet only 23 percent of households have planned and practice a home fire escape plan.
"Many times, when we speak to residents who have experienced a fire in their home, they recall becoming confused and disoriented by the conditions and severity of the situation-but they realized they needed to get out fast," said Fire Marshal John Weaver. "Sometimes, there are only seconds to escape, but there's no question that having a plan in place that has been practiced saves precious time and makes survival more likely. We hope that Fire Prevention Week will prompt folks in our community to plan and practice their escape."
Are you prepared for a fire? Although it's difficult to prepare for the unexpected, reviewing the information below and taking action based on it to plan for a fire is strongly recommended ... and don't forget to practice your escape plan during Fire Prevention Week!
• Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home and have one inside each sleep room and outside of each sleeping area
• Test smoke alarms at least monthly
• Develop a fire escape plan that identifies two ways out of each room and a family meeting place outside
• Make sure your plan allows for any specific needs in your household. If everyone knows what to do, everyone can get out quickly
• Practice using the plan, at least twice a year. If everyone knows that everyone else is ready to exit quickly, no one will lose precious time trying to help someone who doesn't need help
• Some children and adults may not awaken to the sound of the smoke alarm. They may need help to wake up.
Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by fire departments across the country. For 85 years, fire departments have observed Fire Prevention Week, making it the longest-running public health and safety observance on record. The Fort Belvoir Fire & Emergency Services is planning its annual open house on Oct. 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the parade field during Oktoberfest. Please stop by and visit and see a fire apparatus display, fire safety trainer, a static display and a fire extinguisher trainer.
More information is available from Fort Belvoir's fire marshal office, 703 805-2091.