As part of the observance of the 100th annual Fire Prevention Week, Henderson Fire Department Battalion Chief Lee Edmonds stressed the importance of families having an escape plan that everyone in the household is aware of, in the event that of fire.
The theme for this year’s FPW is “Fire Won’t Wait – Plan Your Escape,” and Edmonds told John C. Rose on Thursday’s TownTalk that, on average, occupants have about two minutes to get out of a burning house.
That’s 120 seconds, folks. It’s not long.
“Have a drawn-out plan – write it out,” Edmonds said, “so that everybody in the house knows which ways are the best ways to get out of each room.”
Fire officials have traditionally responded to residents’ requests to replace their home’s smoke detectors, but the COVID-19 pandemic hindered their ability somewhat, Edmonds said. “We’re still doing our home inspection program,” he said, and now they are installing devices with a 20-year life span – no batteries to replace. When they reach the end of their life span, residents simply toss and replace.
Edmonds said it’s important to keep doors unblocked from the inside. “People think ‘I don’t need this door because I’ve got this other door,’” he said. But there should be multiple ways to escape in case of a fire.
“Always make sure that every exit in your home is accessible to get to,” he added.
Fire trucks respond to calls that often don’t involve a burning structure, whether it’s a car accident or a health emergency.
“When a citizen calls, we’re going to be there,” Edmonds said. “No matter what they call for, we’re going to be there.”
City of Henderson Fire Department 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 levelof 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.
To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in Henderson, contact the City of Henderson Fire Department at 252-430-1877 or thomasedmonds@henderson.nc.gov.
For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and fire prevention in general, visit fpw.org and sparky.org.
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