Do You Have "Two Ways Out?"

The reality is that when fire strikes, your home could be engulfed by smoke and flames in just a few minutes.

Once the alarm sounds, how much time do you think you have to get to safety? What if your first escape route is blocked by smoke or flames?

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says that one-third of American households estimate they’d have at least six minutes to vacate their homes before a fire becomes life threatening. But given that a fire doubles in size every 30 seconds, the time you have to get out is often much less.

“The good news is with a few small changes, families can improve their fire escape plan,” said Lt. Dan Sullivan of the Haddam Volunteer Fire Co.

Haddam Fire is teaming up with the NFPA during Fire Prevention Week, October 7-13, to urge residents to “Have Two Ways Out!” This year’s theme focuses on the importance of fire escape planning and practice.

In 2010, U.S. fire departments responded to 369,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 13,350 civilian injuries, 2,640 civilian deaths and $6.9 billion in direct damage. One home structure was reported every 85 seconds.

“Fire is unpredictable and moves faster than most people realize. That’s why having a tried and true escape plan with two ways is essential to make sure your family is safe should fire break out in your home,” said Haddam Fire’s Public Information Liason Jesse Drake.

The HVFC recommends the following tips for planning your family’s escape:

Make a map of your home. Mark a door and a window that can be used to get out of every room.

Choose a meeting place outside in front of your home. This is where everyone can meet once they’ve escaped. Draw a picture of your outside meeting place on your escape plan.

Write the emergency telephone number for the fire department (9-1-1) on your escape plan.

Have a grown-up sound the smoke alarm and practice your escape plan with everyone living in your home.

Keep your escape plan on the refrigerator and remind grown-ups to have your family practice the plan twice a year or whenever anyone in your home celebrates a birthday.

Members of the HVFC are visiting area schools in the next couple weeks to promote “Have Two Ways Out!” These educational, family-oriented events help kids and residents learn more about the importance of fire escape planning and practice, as well as the power of prevention.

The following is a tentative schedule of events:
Oct. 11: Burr Elementary School, 8 a.m.
Oct. 12: Haddam Elementary School, 9 a.m.
Oct. 17: Haddam Cooperative Nursery School, 10 a.m.
Oct. 18: Haddam Cooperative Nursery School, 10 a.m.
Oct. 19: Young Horizons, 9 a.m.

To learn more about “Have Two Ways Out!” visit NFPA’s website, www.firepreventionweek.org, and for more information on the activities of the Haddam Volunteer Fire Co. and ways you can get involved, visit our website, www.haddamfire.com.