Notes from Town Square: Every second counts in fire prevention

The Green River Fire Department along with the National Fire Protection Association has recognized the week of Oct. 8-14 as Fire Prevention week.

This year’s slogan is “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out.” We encourage everyone to take a few minutes and talk about fire prevention to help keep the residents of our community safe.

It is very important to have two ways out of your home whether it’s a house, mobile home, or apartment. Everyone should have two different ways to escape to the outside, which includes a meeting area for everyone to be accounted for. Each family should go over the plans at least twice a year and practice it.

There should be a drawing for the two ways out of each room in your home and adults should talk to the children and make sure they understand how to get out in case they are not home.

When leaving a room, make sure the door is closed behind you.

Once you get outside, stay outside. Never go back into the home. Call the fire department.

When reviewing your escape plans, it is also a great time to change the batteries in the smoke detectors in your home because this should also be done twice a year.

Every advantage should be taken when dealing with fires in homes. Smoke alarms can and will warn everyone of smoke in their home and give everyone time to get out. Every second counts because it only takes seconds for fire to spread. NFPA research states that working smoke alarms cut the chance of fatalities in half during a house fire. The majority of house fires with fatalities are in homes where the smoke alarms are not in working order.

This year the Green River Fire Department will be visiting all of the grade schools to spread the word “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out.” We will also be visiting Monroe Intermediate School and visit the fifth and sixth grades.

Think fire safety and have a great year.

To learn more about fire prevention or find out this year’s key public education campaign messages go online at http://www.nfpa.org or click on the link on the Green River Fire Department Facebook page.