Thursday, March 28, 2024

National Fire Prevention Week Awareness & Safety Tips

Look. Listen. and Learn. Be aware – fire can happen anywhere, is the theme for the 2018 Fire Prevention Week, which is October 7-13.  The theme was announced by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a global non-profit organization that works with local fire departments to promote fire safety.

The program focuses on three essential steps the public can take to reduce the possibility of having a fire and how to escape safely in the event of one.

City of Southlake Fire Prevention Officer Renni Burt takes another look at the call-to-action sequence and explains how residents can apply them.

LOOK-Look for places fire could start. “Take a good look around your home. Identify potential fire hazards and take care of them.”

LISTEN-Listen for the sound of the smoke alarm. “You could have only minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Go to your outside meeting place, which should be a safe distance from the home and where everyone should know to meet.”

LEARN-Learn two ways out of every room.  “Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily and are free of clutter,” stated Burt.

The theme works to remind the public that fires can happen anywhere, anytime.

The city strives to educate the community by keeping them abreast of information and providing resources.  Within the last week, city firefighters sported Home Depot aprons and made fire boats with local kids. “We want people to be aware all year and not just this week,” said Burt.

 

About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Founded in 1896, NFPA is a global, nonprofit organization devoted to eliminating death, injury, property and economic loss due to fire, electrical and related hazards. The association delivers information and knowledge through more than 300 consensus codes and standards, research, training, education, outreach and advocacy; and by partnering with others who share an interest in furthering the NFPA mission. For more information, visit www.nfpa.org. All NFPA codes and standards can be viewed online for free at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.

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