The Yakima Fire Department (YFD) is partnering with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote National Fire Prevention Week, which begins Sunday, October 6th. This year’s campaign is themed, “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!”
In 2018, YFD responded to 118 structure fires – on average more than two every week. Nationwide, NFPA statistics show that in 2017 U.S. fire departments responded to 357,000 home structure fires. These fires caused 2,630 fire deaths and 10,600 fire injuries.
“In a typical home fire, you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds,” Yakima Fire Chief Aaron Markham said. “Escape planning and practice can help you make the most of the time you have, giving everyone enough time to get out.”
During Fire Prevention Week, YFD and the NFPA are reminding community members:
- Home fire escape planning should include the following:
• Draw a map of each level of the home, showing all doors and windows
• Make sure someone will help children, older adults, and people with disabilities wake up and get out
• Teach children how to escape on their own in case you cannot help them
• Establish a meeting place outside and away from the home where everyone can meet after exiting
• Have properly installed and maintained smoke alarms
- Home fire escape practice should include the following:
• Push the smoke alarm button to start the drill
• Practice what to do in case there is smoke: Get low and go. Get out fast
• Practice using different ways out and closing doors behind you as you leave
• Going to your outdoor meeting place
• Calling 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from a cell phone or a neighbor’s phone.
Throughout Fire Prevention Week, YFD will provide reminders of these and other important fire safety tips on-line at https://yakimafire.com/fire-prevention-week-2019/ as well as on social media at https://www.facebook.com/YakimaFireDepartment/ and https://twitter.com/YakimaCityFire
Also during Fire Prevention Week, the City of Yakima Firefighters Association will host its 25th annual Spaghetti Feed from 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm on Wednesday, October 9th at YFD Station 91, 401 North Front Street. The feed costs $8 for adults, $5 for seniors and children. Proceeds will benefit the YFD/IAFF Kids Don’t Float Life Jacket Program.
Click https://yakimafire.com/ for more about YFD.