National Fire Prevention Week is October 8-14

National Fire Prevention Week has been sponsored by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) since 1922, and is the longest-running public health observance in U.S. history. In Canada, Fire Prevention Week is proclaimed annually by the Governor General. Thanks to the efforts of the NFPA and many other national, state and local agencies, the number of people who die in fires each year continues to decline.

Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!

The theme for the 2017 National Fire Prevention Week, held October 8-14, is “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!” This message reinforces the fact that in a fire, seconds count, and everyone needs to have an escape plan. A few seconds can mean the difference between someone escaping a fire safely or tragically losing their life.

Here are simple things you can teach your family to reduce the likelihood of becoming a fire statistic.

• Draw a map of your home with all members of your household, marking two exits from each room and a path to the outside from each exit.
• Practice your home fire drill twice a year. Conduct one at night and one during the day with everyone in your home, and practice using different ways out.
• Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.
• Make sure the number of your home is clearly marked and easy for the fire department to find.
• Close doors behind you as you leave – this may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire.
• Once you get outside, stay outside. Never go back inside a burning building.

Smoke Alarms Save Lives

When was the last time you checked your smoke detectors? Do you know how old they are? Age matters when it comes to smoke alarms. Check the manufacture dates on your alarms – if yours are 10 years or older, they should be replaced right away.

If you need assistance installing smoke alarms or carbon monoxide detectors, or if you would like to upgrade your alarms to a hard-wired system, call the experts at Handyman Connection at 1-800-88-HANDY. We’ll get the job done fast, so you and your family can sleep better at night.