In a fire, mere seconds can mean the difference between a safe escape and a tragedy. In fact, the presence of modern materials in today’s homes means we have less time than ever before to safely escape a house fire.

Today’s homes burn faster than ever. You may have as little as two minutes (or even less time) to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Your ability to get out of a home during a fire depends on early warning from smoke alarms and advance planning.

This means fire safety education isn’t just for school children anymore… Teenagers, adults, and the elderly are all at risk in fires, making it important for everyone in your household to take time every October during Fire Prevention Week to make sure they understand how to stay safe in case of a fire.

President Calvin Coolidge proclaimed Fire Prevention Week (FPW) a national observance, making it the longest running public health observance in our country. FPW commemorates the Great Chicago Fire, which began on October 8, 1871, and caused unimaginable
devastation, killing more than 250 people, leaving 100,000 homeless, and destroying more than 17,000 structures.

During FPW, fire districts across the country provide lifesaving education in an effort to drastically decrease such casualties caused by fires.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week and this year’s National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) campaign, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape™”, works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires.

Here’s more fire safety information you can use to protect yourself and your family:
https://www.nfpa.org/fpw

Take ACTION to Protect Your Home and Family

ACTION #1: Make the first Saturday of each month “Smoke Alarm Saturday”! A working smoke alarm will alert you that there is a fire and you need to escape. Fire moves fast. You and your family could have only minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds.

• Smoke alarms should be installed in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.
• Test all of your smoke alarms by pushing the test button. If it makes a loud beep, beep, beep
  sound, you know it’s working. If there is no sound or the sound is low, it’s time to replace the
  battery. If the smoke alarm is older than 10 years old, you need to replace the whole unit.
• If your smoke alarm makes a “chirp,” that means it needs a new battery. Change the battery
  right away.
•  Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the alarm and what to do when it
  sounds. (See ACTION #2.)

ACTION #2: Develop a home fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year! Having a home fire escape plan will make sure everyone knows what to do when the smoke alarm sounds so they can get out safely.

• Draw a map of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors.
• Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need assistance to wake up and get
  out. Make sure they are part of the plan.
• Make sure all escape routes are clear and that doors and windows open easily.
• Pick an outside meeting place (something permanent like a neighbor’s house, a light post,
  mailbox, or stop sign) that is a safe distance in front of your home where everyone can meet.
• Everyone in the home should know the fire department’s emergency number and how to call
  once they are safely outside.
• Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice day and night time home fire drills. Share your home
  escape plans with overnight guests.

Remember

When You Hear a Beep, Get On Your Feet!
Get out and stay out. Call 9-1-1 from your outside meeting place.

Hear a Chirp, Make a Change!
A chirping alarm needs attention. Replace the batteries or the entire alarm if it is older than 10 years old. If you don’t remember how old it is, replace it.

Did you know?
Fire Prevention Week is the perfect time to educate and talk with your whole family about fire safety – including testing alarms, changing the batteries or upgrading to 10-year sealed battery
alarms, installing carbon monoxide detectors, knowing how to use a fire extinguisher and escape route planning.

• 3 of every 5 home fire deaths resulted from fires with no working smoke alarms
• Less than 50% of homeowners have a home fire escape plan
• Carbon monoxide (CO) is the #1 cause of accidental poisoning in the US
• 60% of consumers do not test their smoke and CO alarms monthly
• Only 47% of people report having CO alarms in their home
• Unattended cooking is the #1 cause of home fires

Don’t be scared, be prepared
The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District urges all of our fellow Contra Costa County residents to practice whole home safety, so you and your family are prepared not only during Fire Prevention Week, but throughout the entire year.

Having functioning smoke and carbon monoxide detectors installed throughout your home is the first line of defense for home fire safety. They work around the clock to provide your family an
early alert in the event of an emergency, helping to provide you and your family time to safely escape.