ASHWAUBENON, WI (WTAQ) – It’s ‘Fire Prevention Week’ in Wisconsin.
This year’s theme is “Every Second Counts: Plan Two Ways Out,” which is meant to get families to create or review an escape plan.
“If there was a fire in the home, in any particular room, having two ways of getting out of the home and how important it is to get out of there in a safe and efficient way.”
Ashwaubenon Public Safety Chief Eric Dunning says one of the best things to do in a fire is to close doors behind you.
“By doing that, it will keep the room that is impacted by smoke and flames contained in that area. More importantly, as you go out the front or back door, by closing that it will prevent fresh oxygen from going into the home and fueling the fire.”
Dunning notes it’s important for families to reunite as quickly as possibly when a fire does occur.
“Have a meeting point, whether it’s a mailbox or tree. That way they have accountability so when fire officials arrive on scene, they know if there’s someone inside or not.”
The chief also urges people to keep up with checking the batteries in their smoke alarms.
“The old battery-operated ones, the recommendation is to change the battery twice per year. The newer smoke alarms that are out on the market now have a lifespan of ten years.”
Dunning urges people to practice their escape drill twice per year, teach children how to escape on their own, and ensure the house is easily marked for idenification by firefighters.
Fire Prevention Week runs through October 14.
