25 Sep Fire Prevention Week Kickoff
MACOMB, IL – Emmet – Chalmers Firefighters are teaming up with other local first responders, Farm King of Macomb, and Refreshment Services Pepsi for the 2015 Fire Prevention Week Kickoff in the south parking lot of Farm King, 1620 E. Jackson Street, on Sunday, October 4th from 12 to 4 P.M.
There will be fire apparatus on display, activities for children, and informational items for the parents. Parents are encouraged to bring their children out to help teach them about fire safety, the benefits to having a smoke alarm, and to make them comfortable around firefighters. There will also be refreshments, giveaways, and fun for all.
Location matters when it comes to your smoke alarm. That’s the message behind this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep. Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm!”
Along with firefighters and safety advocates nationwide, Emmet – Chalmers Firefighters are joining forces with the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) during Fire Prevention Week, October 4-10, to remind local residents about the importance of having working smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.
“In a fire, seconds count,” said Fire Chief David Estes. “Half of home fire deaths result from fires reported at night between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep. Home smoke alarms can alert people to a fire before it spreads, giving everyone enough time to get out.”
According to the latest NFPA research, working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire in half. Meanwhile, three out of five fire deaths resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign includes the following smoke alarm messages:
–Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
–Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. This way, when one sounds, they all do.
–Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.
–Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or sooner if they don’t respond properly.
–Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarm and understands what to do when they hear it.
–If the smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside. Go to your outside meeting place.
–Call the fire department from outside the home.
For more information check out the Emmet – Chalmers website at: www.ecfpd.org
To learn more about smoke alarms and “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep. Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm!” visit NFPA’s Web site at www.firepreventionweek.org and www.sparky.org/fpw.