This year’s theme is, “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!” The campaign works to educate everyone about the small but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.
The NFPA notes that in 2017 U.S. fire departments responded to 357,000 home structure fires. These fires caused 2,630 fire deaths and 10,600 fire injuries. On average, seven people died in a fire in a home per day during 2012 to 2016.
“Home fires are dangerous,” said Camden County Fire Rescue Chief Terry Smith. “With limited warning time provided by smoke alarms, it is vitally important that all families create and practice a home escape plan. We want everyone to make it out safe from a house fire.”
Camden County households are strongly encouraged to make a home escape plan by:
- drawing a map of each level of the home that shows all doors and windows;
- observing two ways out of each room, and
- practicing the plan with everyone in your household.
More information will be available on the Camden County Fire Rescue Facebook and Twitter pages throughout the week. CCFR firefighters and paramedics will be visiting schools and performing safety presentations throughout the month of October.
If your group or organization would like a fire safety presentation, please contact Fire Rescue Headquarters at 912-729-3911. For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and home escape planning, visit www.fpw.org.
Commission Chair Jimmy Starline (center) presents Fire Prevention Week Proclamation to Chief Terry Smith (left) and Assistant Chief Charles Lowther (right)