The Yakima Fire Department (YFD) is partnering with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote National Fire Prevention Week, which begins Sunday, October 9th, and continues through Saturday, October 15th. The 2022 campaign theme is, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.”
This year’s campaign works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.
“It’s important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape. Everyone needs to be prepared in advance, so that they know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Given that every home is different, every home fire escape plan will also be different,” said Yakima Fire Chief Aaron Markham. “Have a plan for everyone in the home. Children, older adults and people with disabilities may need assistance to get out.”
YFD offers the following safety 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.
- If your secondary means of escape is out a window of a two-story home, make sure you have the proper escape ladder to make this possible.
- 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.
Throughout Fire Prevention Week, YFD will provide reminders of these and other important tips on-line at https://yakimafire.com/life-safety/national-fire-prevention-week/ and on social media.
Click https://yakimafire.com/ for more about YFD.