By Olivia Wynkoop. Bay City News.
CalFire launched its Fire Prevention Week this Sunday with a special emphasis for residents to plan their path to safety in the event of a home fire.
Through October 15, CalFire will partner with the National Fire Protection Association to remind community members of the importance of having an evacuation plan in mind in the event of a residential fire.
Firefighters drafted a plan to get residents out of a home fire quickly. Two factors are critical: properly installed smoke detectors and advance planning.
Some suggested action items mentioned in this year's campaign: check smoke alarms once a month, rehearse a home fire escape plan twice a year, and install smoke alarms in every bedroom and on every level of the home.
"In some cases, you may have as little as two minutes or less to safely escape a home fire once the smoke alarm sounds," CalFire wrote in a press release. "After all, you plan for vacations, holidays and weekly meals, why not plan to save your life and the lives of those around you in the event of a home fire?"
A recent NFPA report found that U.S. home fire deaths last year reached their highest point in 14 years, making the reminder to residents all the more relevant, firefighters said.
"Too many lives are lost in home fires every year in California," said State Fire Marshal Mike Richwine in a statement.
Interested parties can find more information about Fire Prevention Week at www.fpw.org.
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