By Staff
It is practically impossible to read the newspaper or watch the local television news without learning about a fire that has destroyed a property, maimed someone or even claimed a life.
But, for many, something like a fire is simply not personal until it hits close to home, which is exactly what happened to the people living in the nearly 400,000 homes across the country that reported fires in 2006.
Fire is personal and everyone must realize that they have a personal responsibility to not only prevent fires, but also to be prepared to escape if one should occur.
Fire Prevention Week (Oct. 7-13) is the perfect time to take a few moments to review fire prevention and safety guidelines.
For more than 80 years this awareness campaign has been reminding the public that in many cases personal actions can directly influence fire prevention and safety.
This year's theme focuses on home fire escape planning and urges everyone to Practice Your Escape Plan!
What could be more personal than having tragedy strike in a place where many people feel the safest – their home?
Being vigilant about fire prevention and safety is important in all areas of life, but being mindful of these issues in the home is especially important.
In 2006, 80 percent of the people who died in fires in the United States were lost because of home fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
A poll conducted for the National Fire Protection Association showed that only 23 percent of households have developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.
Although many households reported having a plan, the majority had not practiced it.
Practicing a home fire escape plan is extremely important; if a fire occurs there may be as little as two minutes to escape.
Having an escape plan in place that has been practiced will save precious moments and make it more likely that occupants of a home will be able to get out alive.