Arcadia Fire Department Urges Residents to ‘Have Two Ways Out’

The Arcadia Fire Department is teaming up with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) during Fire Prevention Week, October 7-13, 2012, to urge residents to “Have Two Ways Out!” This year’s theme focuses on the importance of fire escape planning and practice. 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 NFPA, one-third of American households estimate they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life threatening. Unfortunately, the time is often far less.
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.
The Arcadia Fire Department recommends the following tips for planning your family’s escape: Make a map of your home and mark a door and a window that can be used to get out of every room. Choose an outside meeting place 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. Sound the smoke alarm and practice your escape plan at least twice a year with everyone living in your home.
Keep your escape plan on the refrigerator or where everyone can see it. During the month of October, the Arcadia Fire Department will conduct station tours and visit local elementary and pre-schools to spread the word and provide information on how to “Have Two Ways Out!”

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