| The Ridge Volunteer Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) — the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week — in celebrating the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week. This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape”, runs from Oct 9-15, and works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires.
Today’s homes burn faster than ever. You may have as little as two minutes (or even less time) to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Your ability to get out of a home during a fire depends on early warning from smoke alarms and advance planning.
It is important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape. Everyone needs to be prepared in advance, so that they know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Given that every home is different, every home fire escape plan will also be different.
Have a plan for 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 help them!
In a fire, mere seconds can mean the difference between a safe escape and a tragedy. Fire safety education isn’t just for school children. Teenagers, adults, and the elderly are also at risk in fires, making it important for every member of the community to take some time every October during Fire Prevention Week to make sure they understand how to stay safe in case of a fire.
The Ridge VFD will be hosting a series of events in support of this year’s Fire Prevention Week including visits to local schools and daycares, Department tours, handouts and demonstrations, and various RVFD fundraising events.
To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities, please contact us at 301-872-5571 or info@ridgevfd.org, or via our social media (www.facebook.com/RidgeVFD). For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and fire prevention in general, visit www.fpw.org. |
