It’s Fire Prevention Week: Have 2 Ways Out

October 8, 2012

This week is Fire Prevention Week, and fire departments across the country are using this opportunity to educate the public about how they can make their homes and communities safer. The theme this year is “Have 2 Ways Out,” which emphasizes the importance of emergency planning and escape routes.

Use this week to re-energize your department’s fire prevention and safety efforts. Continue these efforts throughout October, which is Fire Prevention Month, and find ways to keep the messages at the forefront all year long.

The best fire is one that never happens, and education and outreach is the best way to teach the community what they can do to prevent fires and other emergencies. Find resources for your programming and outreach from organizations and web sites including the following:

  • National Fire Protection Association: The NFPA’s Fire Prevention Week web site includes fire prevention tips, sample press releases and proclamations, fundraising information and Sparky’s Wish List, campaign implementation how-to guides, media materials, education materials, and more.
  • Fire Corps: Tools include the All-Ways Fire Safe at Home fire and life safety public education module, the Home Safety Checklist, the First Alert Smoke Alarm Donation Program, fire prevention tips and resources, Getting Started with Firewise toolkit, and much more.
  • Sound the Alarm: This partnership between the International Code Council and the National Volunteer Fire Council provides resources for home safety checks and smoke alarm installation campaigns, including a customizable flyer and press release, banner ads, video PSA, smoke alarm installation video and flyer, state-by-state residential smoke alarm requirements, smoke alarm data sheet, After a Fire form, and more.
  • United States Fire Administration: The USFA has a myriad of resources and programs to help departments spread fire prevention messages, including the Install. Inspect. Protect. smoke alarm campaign, the Smoking and Home Fires campaign, Fire Safety for Children, and more.
  • Firefacts.org: Sponsored by First Alert, this web site provides parents, teachers, and public educators with free interactive fire safety learning tools geared towards children from kindergarten through sixth grade.