CLEVELAND – The Cleveland Division of Fire is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week (FPW), October 9-15, 2022. This year’s campaign, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape!” 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,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA.
Cleveland Fire encourages all residents to embrace the 2022 Fire Prevention Week theme.
“It’s important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape to be prepared in advance and know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds,” said Interim Fire Chief Eric Burchak. “Every home is different, so every home fire escape plan will be different. Be sure everyone in the home knows how to get out and where to meet safely outside.”
Cleveland Fire wants to share these key home fire escape planning tips:
- Make sure your plan meets the needs of all your family members, including children, elderly, or 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 including the basement.
- Know at least two ways out of every room. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.
- Have an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet.
- 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.
Cleveland Fire will prompt residents to practice their Fire Escape Drill on Saturday, October 15th at 7pm on our social media platforms. Residents have Fire Prevention Week to make a plan to be safe by Saturday!
About the Cleveland Division of Fire
The Cleveland Division of Fire has served the residents of Cleveland, Ohio for more than 150 years! The Division’s core values center on the protection of lives, property and the environment through preparedness, prevention, public education and emergency response; we place an emphasis on quality services delivered efficiently, effectively and safely. For more information on the Cleveland Division of Fire, visit online at www.city.cleveland.oh.us or on Facebook/CLEFIREdept, Twitter @clevelandfire
