October is fire prevention month, plan now

October is fire prevention month, plan now

NEW YORK STATE--October is Fire Prevention Month, with the week of Oct. 9 dubbed National Fire Prevention Week. In 2022, the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) encourages all New Yorkers to be prepared and develop and rehearse an escape strategy. "It's critical to plan and practice a home fire escape route. Everyone needs to be prepared in advance, so that they know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Every home is different, so every home fire escape plan will also be different," said Ed Tase, President of FASNY. "Have a plan that accommodates everyone in the home. Children, older adults and people with disabilities may need assistance to wake up and get out. Make sure that someone will know how to help them." Escape plans are not the only thing that residents should do to prepare for emergencies - checking that smoke alarms are operating properly is also essential. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors can give residents critical time to escape a home during an emergency. According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), three out of every five home fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms or in homes lacking smoke detectors. New York has the third most home fire fatalities in the country this year, closely behind Pennsylvania and Texas. More than 80 percent of fire-related casualties in New York are a result of residential fires, compared to the country-wide average of 76 percent. "Having an effective escape plan is tied to having working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors," said Tase. "Smoke detectors are the first line of defense during a home fire. We urge all New Yorkers to ensure their homes, and any homes they are visiting or renting, have functional smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms." FASNY 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. • If possible, know at least two ways out of every room. 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 including at night.