Fire prevention week a good time to prepare escape plan

Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 7 through 13, and the National Fire Protection Association encourages citizens to "practice your escape plan."

In 2006, 80 percent of all fire deaths were caused by home fires. Last year, about 2,600 people were killed by home fires and 12,500 injured, according to NFPA reports.

"It is not enough just to have a home fire escape plan in place- it is vital that everyone living in the home practice the plan," said Judy Comoletti, a vice president of public education for NFPA. "You can have as little as two minutes to get out when fire strikes."

NFPA offers the following tips for home fire escape planning.

•Install and maintain working smoke alarms on every level, inside each bedroom and outside of each sleeping area.

•Develop a fire escape plan that identifies two ways out of each room and a family meeting place outside.

•Make sure the plan allows for any specific needs in the household.

•Practice the plan at least twice a year.

•Some studies have shown that some children and adults may not awaken to the sound of a smoke alarm. They may need help waking up.

•If the smoke alarm sounds, go to the closest exit. If there is smoke on the way out, turn and use the second way out.

If going through smoke is necessary, get low and go under the smoke to the exit.

Don't take time to pick up belongings- just get out and help others out. Move fast but stay calm.

For more information, visit www.firepreventionweek.org.