Practice Your Escape Plan

The Bedford Fire Department is once again joining forces with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to remind local residents to “Practice Your Escape Plan!”  During this year's Fire Prevention Week safety campaign, we are providing information about the importance of families developing their own Fire Escape Plan for their homes.

According to a 2004 NFPA survey, only one in four Americans has devised and practiced a plan to escape from the home during a fire.  It is also reported that sixty-six percent of Americans have an escape plan in case of fire.  But, only thirty-five percent of those with a plan have practiced it.  Three-quarters of Americans believe they have ten (10) minutes until a fire turns deadly.  The time is often much less!

Often, when we're called to a fire that started in the home residents tell us that they were fortunate to exit the residence without being injured.  Often residents speak of the value of escape planning and working smoke detectors for early warning.  We hope that Fire Prevention Week this year will help the Bedford Fire Department get this life saving safety message out to the community and help prevent injuries and deaths related to residential fires.

Here are the safety tips we are emphasizing:

* Install and inspect your smoke and CO detectors (change your clocks, change your batteries) often.

* Develop a workable escape plan from your residence.

* Practice your home fire escape plan twice a year, making the drill as realistic as possible.

* Allow children to master fire escape plan and practice before holding a fire drill at night when they are sleeping.  The objective is to practice, not to frighten, so telling children there will be a drill before they go to bed can be as effective as a surprise drill.

* It’s important to determine during the drill whether children and others can readily waken to the sound of the smoke alarm.  If they fail to awaken, make sure that someone is assigned to wake them up as part of the drill and in a real emergency situation.

* If your home has two floors, every family member (including children) must be able to escape from second floor rooms.  Escape ladders can be placed in or near windows to provide an additional escape route.  Children should only practice this with adults supervising.

* Always choose the escape route that is the safest – the one with the least amount of smoke and heat, and be prepared to escape below (crawling) the toxic smoke if necessary.

* Close doors on your way out to slow the spread of fire and smoke, giving you more time to escape.

* In some cases, smoke or fire may prevent you from exiting your home or apartment building.  To prepare for an emergency like this, practice “sealing yourself in for safety.”  Close all doors between you and the fire.  If possible, open your windows at the top and bottom so fresh air can get in.  Make sure to dial 911 and report the fire and your exact location.  Wave a flashlight or a light colored cloth at the window to let the fire department know where you are located.

Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by fire departments across the United States. This is the 86th year that fire departments have observed Fire Prevention Week, making it the longest running public health and safety observance on record.

Please be sure to continue to check our website (www.bedfordfire.com) for upcoming fire prevention and safety related information. Additional Fire Prevention information can be found under the Safety Tips section on this website.