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Fire Prevention Month Reminds Everyone to ‘Plan Your Escape’

October 3, 2022 in BCFD4 News

Campaign encourages people to prepare and practice their household fire escape plan

WEST RICHLAND, WASH. – Benton County Fire District 4 celebrates Fire Prevention Month in October and this year’s theme is “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape.” The campaign seeks to educate people about the simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and their families safe from home fires.

You may have as little as two minutes or less to safely escape a home fire from the time your smoke alarm goes off, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Your ability to get out during a fire depends on early warning from smoke alarms and advance planning.

“It’s important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape,” Fire Chief Paul Carlyle said. “Now is a good time to sit down with members of your family and plan and practice your escape so that everyone knows what to do when the smoke alarm sounds.”

Key home escape planning tips:

  • Make sure your plan meets the needs of all your family members, including children, older adults, and those with sensory or physical disabilities.
  • Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom (or places people sleep), outside each sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Test alarms monthly to ensure they are working.
  • 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 your household, including guests. Practice at least once during the day and at night.

Need help with your smoke alarm?
It is important to have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, in every bedroom, and in the basement. If you need help changing batteries or installing new smoke alarms, please give us a call at 509-967-2945 and we’ll help you through this process.

For more information, visit the Fire Prevention and Safety page on our website at www.bcfd4.org.