National Fire Prevention Week Promotes Residential Safety
By Space Coast Daily // October 7, 2012
'Have Two Ways Out' This Year's Theme
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – If you woke up to a fire in your home, how much time do you think you would have to get to safety?
According to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association, one-third of Americans households who made and estimate they thought they would have at least six minutes before a fire in their home would become life threatening. Unfortunately, the time available is often less.
That’s why Brevard County Fire Rescue is teaming up with NFPA during Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 7 to 13, to urge residents to “Have Two Ways Out!”
This year’s theme focuses on the importance of fire escape planning and practice.
In 2010, U.S. fire departments responded to 369,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 13,350 civilian injuries, 2,640 civilian deaths, and $6.9 billion in direct damage.
“One home structure fire was reported every 85 seconds in 2010,” says Brevard County Fire Marshal Frank Scates. “Fire is unpredictable and moves faster than most people realize. Having a tried and true escape plan with two ways is essential to ensuring your family’s safety should fire break out in your home.”
Brevard County Fire Rescue recommends the following tips for planning your family’s escape:
• Make a map of your home. Mark a door and a window that can be used to get out of every room.
• Choose a meeting place outside in front of your home. This is where everyone can meet once they’ve escaped. Draw a picture of your outside meeting place on your escape plan.
• Write the emergency telephone number for the fire department on your escape plan.
• Have a grown-up sound the smoke alarm and practice your escape plan with everyone living in your home.
• Keep your escape plan on the refrigerator and remind grown-ups to have your family practice the plan twice a year or whenever anyone in your home celebrates a birthday.
Brevard County Fire Rescue fire prevention experts will be hosting activities at two locations during Fire Prevention Week to promote “Have Two Ways Out!”
Through these educational, family-oriented activities, residents can learn more about the importance of fire escape planning and practice, as well as the power of prevention.
Locations and times for the exhibits include:
Merritt Square Mall (near the food court), 777 E. Merritt Island Causeway, Merritt Island
- Friday, Oct. 5 from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 6 from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 7 from noon to 5:30 p.m.
Super Flea and Farmer’s Market, 4835 W. Eau Gallie Boulevard, Melbourne
- Saturday, Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In addition to static displays and giveaways, fire prevention experts will conduct live fire demonstrations at each location. The demonstrations will give onlookers the opportunity to see a fire how quickly a fire can develop from its beginning stage to total room involvement.
A second fire, ignited in an identical room equipped with fire sprinklers, will illustrate the advantages of home and commercial sprinkler systems in preventing fire development and damage, as well as providing valuable time for occupants to escape to safety.
Live fire burns will take place at both locations listed above at the following times:
- Merritt Square Mall (near the Cobb Theater entrance) – Saturday, Oct. 6 at 1 p.m.
- Super Flea and Farmer’s Market – Saturday, Oct. 20 at 1 p.m.
To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in Brevard County, call the Brevard County Fire Rescue Fire Prevention Bureau at 321-633-2056. To learn more about “Have Two Ways Out!” visit NFPA’s Web site at www.firepreventionweek.org.
