(239) 390-8000 ~ 21500 Three Oaks Parkway, Estero, Florida 33928

October 3, 2012 – If you woke up to a fire in your home, how much time do you think you would have to get to safety?  According to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), one-third of Americans households who made and estimate they thought they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life threatening. Unfortunately, the time available is often less. 

That’s why Estero Fire Rescue is teaming up with NFPA during Fire Prevention Week, October 7-13, 2012, to urge residents to “Have Two Ways Out!” This year’s theme focuses on the importance of fire escape planning and practice.  By having working dual-sensor smoke alarms in the home and having an escape plan, families can be better prepared if the unthinkable should happen.

 In 2010, U.S. fire departments responded to 369,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 13,350 civilian injuries, 2,640 civilian deaths, and $6.9 billion in direct damage.  “One home structure was reported every 85 seconds in 2010,” says Susan Lindenmuth of Estero Fire Rescue.  “Fire is unpredictable and moves faster than most people realize.  Having a tried and true escape plan with two ways out is essential to ensuring your family’s safety should fire break out in your home.”   Estero Fire Rescue recommends the following tips for planning your family’s escape:

  • Make a map of your home. Mark a door and a window that can be usescape-planed to get out of every room.
  • Choose a meeting place outside in front of your home. This is where everyone can meet once they’ve escaped. Draw a picture of your outside meeting place on your escape plan.
  • Write the emergency telephone number for the fire department on your escape plan.
  • Have an adult sound the smoke alarm and practice your escape plan with everyone living in your home.
  • Keep your escape plan on the refrigerator and remind adults to have your family practice the plan twice a year or whenever anyone in your home celebrates a birthday.

Estero Fire Rescue will be hosting activities during Fire Prevention Week and throughout the month of October to promote “Have Two Ways Out!”  Through these educational, family-oriented activities, residents can learn more about the importance of fire escape planning and practice, as well as the power of prevention. To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in your area, please contact Estero Fire Rescue at (239) 390-8000 or your local fire department.  To learn more about “Have Two Ways Out!” visit NFPA’s Web site at www.firepreventionweek.org .