It's Fire Prevention Week - Event Saturday At Revere's

Last updated on Tuesday, October 10, 2017

(BEDFORD) - In a fire, seconds count. Seconds can mean the difference between residents of our community escaping safely from a fire or having their lives end in tragedy.

That's why this year's Fire Prevention Week theme: "Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!" is so important. It reinforces why everyone needs to have an escape plan. Here's this year's key campaign messages:

Draw a map of your home with all members of your household, marking two exits from each room and a path to the outside from each exit.
Practice your home fire drill twice a year. Conduct one at night and one during the day with everyone in your home, and practice using different ways out.
Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can't help them.
Make sure the number of your home is clearly marked and easy for the fire department to find.
Close doors behind you as you leave - this may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire.
Once you get outside, stay outside. Never go back inside a burning building.

Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom, outside every sleeping area and on every level of your home, including the basement. Larger homes may need more alarms installed. If you have a home with gas appliances or park your vehicle in an attached garage it is also recommended that you have at least one Carbon Monoxide alarm installed near your sleeping areas. Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas that is deadly.

Bob Brown, with Shawswick Volunteer Fire Department, stresses that smoke detectors are not enough, every family needs to develop, discuss and practice a home escape plan.

"Establishing a meeting place is an extremely important part of this plan," Brown says. "The meeting place will help families and firefighters to know if all members have been able to escape during a fire."

Every room in your home should have two ways out, which often includes a window. Family members that sleep in an upstairs bedroom need to include a plan on how to get to ground level.

The Lawrence County Firefighters Association is celebrating Fire Prevention Week with an event on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Revere's Service Station at the corner of State Road 37 and 158.

Firefighters from Shawswick, Pleasant Run, Oolitic, Marshall, Guthrie, Indiana Creek, Perry, Williams, Marion, Mitchell, Huron will be on hand to teach families fire safety. There will be a smoke house for children to climb through, games and other activities.

Firefighters from Bedford Fire Department, crews from IU Health Hospital and Seals ambulances and both Bedford Police and Lawrence County Police officers will be there.

There will be free hotdogs and hamburgers, with donations accepted.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

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