LAKE HAVASU CITY

2330 McCulloch Blvd. North

Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403-5947

www.lhcaz.gov

Charlie Cassens

Communications & Intergovernmental Affairs

Office – (928) 854-4212 Cell – (928) 486-8879 Fax – (928) 680-4892

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 11, 2007

It’s Fire Prevention Week - Practice Your Escape Plan

It’s Fire Prevention Week and the Lake Havasu City Fire Department is joining forces with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to remind local residents to ‘Practice Your Escape Plan.’ This week, firefighters and safety advocates are spreading the word about the dangers of home fires and teaching local residents how to plan and practice escape from a home in case a fire occurs.

According to the latest 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 Fire Marshal Chip Shilosky. “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 make survival more likely. We hope 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!

§ Install working smoke alarms on every level, and inside each bedroom and outside of each sleeping area.

§ Develop a fire escape plan that identifies two ways out of each room and a family meeting place outside.

§ Make sure your plan allows for any specific needs in your household. If everyone knows what to do, everyone can get out quickly.

§ Practice your plan at least twice a year.

§ Some studies have shown that some children and adults may not awaken to the sound of a smoke alarm and may need help waking up.

§ If the smoke alarm sounds: Go to the closest exit, and if there is smoke in the way, turn and use a secondary exit. 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.

Fire Prevention Week is actively supported by fire departments across the country. For 85 years fire departments have observed Fire Prevention Week, making it the longest running public health and safety observance on record.

For more information about developing a plan, contact Fire Marshal Chip Shilosky at 928-855-1141.

Photocut:

Joining Mayor Mark Nexsen in signing the proclamation for Fire Prevention Week is (l-r): Fire Marshal Chip Shilosky, Fire Inspector Scott Hartman, Public Education Specialist Kathy Black, Fire Inspector Craig Martens, Fire Inspector Mike Kemp, and Fire Chief Dennis Mueller

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