Fire Won’t Wait. Plan Your Escape.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week, recognized October 9-15. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) campaign this year is “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape,” which aims to educate everyone about 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 less) 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.

UGI and the NFPA share these key home fire escape planning tips to help keep you and your family safe:

• Make sure your plan meets the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
• Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each
  separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound.
• 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.
• Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in the household, including guests. Practice at least once during the day and at night.

For more information on making a home escape plan, including activities for kids, visit www.nfpa.org.