The Orange Fire Marshall has announced that the week of October 8 – 14 is Fire Prevention Week. The week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls since 1922 and looks to alert and educate the public as to the importance of fire safety and each citizen’s role in fire prevention.
Fire Prevention Week is sponsored by the International Fire Marshals Association to commemorate firefighters and to advance fire prevention awareness. The observance was extended to a week in a proclamation by President Calvin Coolidge in 1922 and is the longest running public health and safety event on record. The 2017 theme for Fire Prevention Week is “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!” It reinforces the need for everyone to have a home escape plan. Some suggestions to minimize the chance of fire or injury include:
- First, have a working smoke detector on each level of the home and one in every bedroom. Test them each month and change the batteries twice a year.
- Draw a map of your home marking two ways out of each room and a way to the outside.
- Practice a home fire drill twice a year – one at night and one during the day, using different escape paths.
- Teach children how to escape by themselves in case no adult is present.
- Be sure the house number is clearly marked and easy to see.
- When leaving due to a fire, close doors behind you in order to slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire.
- Once outside, stay outside. NEVER go back inside a burning building.
- Call 911.
If you have questions regarding fire safety, please contact the Orange Fire Marshal’s Office at 203-891-4711, Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM or visit the website at www.orangefiremarshal.com