PHOTO: The Victoria Fire Department hosts a poster contest each year in honor of Fire Prevention Week.
The Victoria Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week Oct. 9-15.
This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape,” aims to educate residents about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires.
“Today’s homes burn faster than ever,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA. “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.”
The City of Victoria, Texas Fire Department will host a Fire Prevention Week poster contest and visit local schools in honor of Fire Prevention Week.
The Victoria Fire Department advises residents to follow these fire escape planning tips:
- Make sure your plan meets the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
- Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound.
- Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.
- Have an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet.
- Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in the household, including guests. Practice at least once during the day and at night.
To learn more about Victoria Fire Department events and programs, visit www.victoriatx.gov/fire. To learn more about fire prevention strategies and Fire Prevention Week, visit www.fpw.org and www.sparky.org.