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SHORELINE FIRE REMINDS RESIDENTS TO 'PRACTICE
YOUR ESCAPE PLAN'
According to the latest National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) research, 3,030 people died
in 2005 in home fires – that’s roughly
eight people every day! Being alerted
to a fire and knowing what to do to escape from
one are extremely important, yet only 23% of
households have planned and practiced a home
fire escape plan.
"Many times when we speak to residents who have
experienced a fire in their home, they recall
becoming confused and disoriented by the
conditions and severity of the situation – but
they realized they needed to get out fast,” said
Melanie Granfors, community education
specialist. "Sometimes there are only seconds to
escape, but there’s no question that having a
plan in place that has been practiced saves
precious time and makes survival more likely.
We hope that Fire Prevention Week will prompt
folks in our community to plan and practice
their escape.”
Are you prepared for a fire?
Although it’s difficult to prepare for the
unexpected, reviewing the information below and
taking action based on it to plan for a fire is
strongly recommended… and don’t forget to
practice your escape plan during Fire Prevention
Week!
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Install working
smoke alarms on every level; and inside and
outside of each sleeping area.
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Develop a fire
escape plan that identifies two ways out of
each room and a family meeting place
outside.
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Make sure your
plan allows for any specific needs in your
household. If everyone knows what to do,
everyone can get out quickly.
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Practice using
the plan, at least twice a year.
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Some studies
have shown that some children and adults may
not awaken to the sound of a smoke alarm;
they may need help waking up.
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If the smoke alarm sounds: Go to your
closest exit, and if you run into smoke,
turn and use another way out. If you must
exit through smoke, get low and go under the
smoke to your exit. Don’t take time to pick
up belongings; just get out and help others
get out. Move fast but stay calm.
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