Bulletins

**Smoke alarms - are they in working order, do you check them (test them monthly), has their expiration date passed (check the back of the unit)? **Escape plan - do you have an escape plan in action, are all members of your family familiar with it (include children) and have you practiced it?

**Fire Extinguishers - are your fire extinguishers properly placed and in working order, do you check them at least monthly?

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), last year 3,750 people died in fires (over 80% in residential fires), 21,875 were injured, and direct property loss is estimated at over $10 billion. Nationwide, every 17 seconds the fire department is responding to a fire and every 147 minutes a fire related death occurs.

Fortunately, most fire losses can be prevented through effective public education and awareness initiatives. Part of this awareness and preparedness comes from "The Great Escape" campaign initiated by the NPFA in 1998. Since that time, the NFPA has documented 58 lives saved as a direct result of this campaign. Find a complete listing of the 58 at the NFPA website at http://www.nfpa.org/ Some of these include:

Six Lives saved:

July 6, 1999: When the Serafin family awoke to the sound of the smoke alarm, they discovered a fire in their garage. All six occupants immediately evacuated the home and called 911. Firefighters were able to rescue the family's two dogs and bird from the burning home. The Serafin children had prompted their family to draw and practice a home escape plan after hearing about the 1998 "Great Escape" campaign in school.

Five lives saved:

February 18, 1999: Bob Walker credits "The Great Escape" information his children received at the Wiarton Public School for his family's quick action during a fire in their duplex home. Nine-year-old twins Ashley and Ryan created a home fire escape plan after a classroom lesson on fire safety. Mr. Walker and his wife, the twins, and two-year-old Brent escaped their burning home at 3:00 AM. Unfortunately, two boys living in the same duplex were killed by the fire. "The twins pushed the fire safety procedures they were taught at school and had us practice how to get out and stay out," said Mr. Walker.

Nine lives saved:

December 21, 1998: Members of the Rasmussen family are counting their blessings after a fire destroyed their home and all their Christmas presents. Trent Rasmussen, his wife, Tammy, their five children and Tammy's mother and stepfather were asleep when Trent was awakened by a loud, popping noise. When he realized the bedroom was full of smoke, he put the family's escape plan into action. Trent helped his mother-in-law escape, and kicked in a basement window to reach three family members who were sleeping downstairs. Once outside, the family realized that five-year-old Kaitlyn was missing. Trent found her just inside the front door and was able to rescue her. "Firefighters tell me that we had, at most, two minutes to get out alive," says Trent. "Fortunately, we had a fire plan." The family's four oldest children insisted on drawing a home fire escape plan after visiting local fire stations during Fire Prevention Week.

Why "The Great Escape?" According to NPFA "Too few people develop and practice home fire escape plans, and this lack of planning can prove deadly in a home fire". What is The Great Escape?  It is a Fire Drill, planned and practiced. You should:

1) Draw a map of your home: show every room, door and window and the location of all smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. 2) Mark an easy way out of each room, then find a second way out 3) Pick a meeting place outside of your home (in front) where everyone goes when they escape a fire. 4) Learn the emergency number for local emergency assistance.

NFPA warns: "getting out of your own home sounds easy, but everything looks very different when it's full of smoke". Not to mention being overcome with panic. SO PRACTICE YOUR PLAN!