PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Ray
Hanania
Sept. 17, 2012 Monday rayhanania @ comcast . net
OFPD Hosts Open
House Oct. 6 to promote Fire Prevention Week
Many residents
unprepared if their home catches fire
(OFPD)
– Nearly one-third of American residents are unprepared to escape a fire if one
were to occur in their homes, a recent study commissioned by the nonprofit
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) concludes.
Most
Americans, according to the study, believe that 6 minutes is more than enough
time for them to gather their family and flee a fire if it were to occur in
their homes.
But
that time period is higher than what officials believe is the safe time zone
and would put many families in jeopardy in a life threatening fire.
Two
help raise awareness, the Orland Fire Protection District has teamed up with
NFPA to showcase the problem during Fire Prevention Week, October 7-13, 2012.
The OFPD and NFPA urge residents to “Have Two Ways Out!” which is the theme of
this year’s Fire Prevention Week.
In
2010, U.S. fire departments responded to 369,500 home structure fires. These
fires caused 13,350 civilian injuries, 2,640 civilian deaths, and $6.9 billion
in direct damage.
“One
structure fire in a home was reported every 85 seconds in 2010,” says Chief Ken
Brucki of the Orland Fire District.
“Fire
is unpredictable and moves much faster than most people realize. Having a
tried and true escape plan with two ways is essential to ensuring your family’s
safety should fire break out in your home. Six minutes is not enough time to
escape life threatening circumstances and I am hoping the emphasis on that this
year during Fire Prevention Week will encourage more families to recognize the
significance of fire escape planning and practice.”
The
Orland Fire Protection District recommends the following tips for planning your
family’s escape:
- ·
Make a map of your home. Mark a door
and a window that can be used to get out of every room.
- ·
Choose a meeting place outside in
front of your home. This is where everyone can meet once they have escaped. Draw
a picture of your outside meeting place on your escape plan.
- ·
Write the emergency telephone number
for the fire department on your escape plan.
- ·
Have a grown-up sound the smoke alarm
and practice your escape plan with everyone living in your home.
- ·
Keep your escape plan on the
refrigerator and remind grown-ups to have your family practice the plan twice a
year or whenever anyone in your home celebrates a birthday.
The
Orland Fire Protection District will be hosting an Open House on October 6,
2012, to kick off Fire Prevention Week to promote “Have Two Ways Out!”
Through
these educational, family-oriented activities, residents can learn more about
the importance of fire escape planning and practices, as well as the power of
prevention, visit our website for more details.
To
find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and the Orland Fire
Protection District, contact Nancy Mulvihill at 708-873-2742. To learn more
about “Have Two Ways Out!” visit NFPA’s Web site at www.firepreventionweek.org.
The
Open House will be held at the Orland Fire Prevention District Training Center,
10728 W. 163rd Place from 10 am until 1 pm Saturday Oct. 6, 2012.
Also,
there will be a coloring contest ceremony announcing winner at 12:30. Students from local schools have submitted Coloring Contest pictures and the winners will be picked from the entries. The top 3 in each grade will get a trophy.
And, the
OFPD will host a blood drive from 8 until 2 pm.
END
