WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), co-chair of the Congressional Fire Services Caucus, highlighted the beginning of National Fire Protection Week. Sen. Carper joins the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and the National Fire Protection Association in encouraging everyone to have a fire escape plan. Each year, thousands of people are victims of domestic fires. Many of the injuries and deaths associated with these fires may be avoided through some simple advanced planning. FEMA and USFA suggest that everyone should plan to have at least two ways out of their homes in case of a fire.
"It is a sad reality that thousands of people are either injured or killed by home fires each year," said Sen. Carper. "In order to prevent these tragedies, we must all take a few moments to establish what to do in the case of a fire. During Fire Prevention Week, I encourage everyone to sit down with their loved ones to talk about fire safety and prevention and come up with a fire escape plan."
FEMA has provided some tips for how individuals can best prepare themselves and their families for the possibility of a fire:
- Check your home to make sure all smoke detectors work, it is recommended that you have multiple types of smoke detectors installed in throughout your house;
- Make sure that there are two ways out of every room;
- Make a home fire plan; and
- Practice with family members including children, older family members, individuals living with a disability, or others who have access and functional needs so that every person knows how to use both ways to get to safety.
For more information on Fire Prevention Week and fire safety, please visit the links below:
- National Fire Protection Association at www.npfa.org
- Ready.gov at www.Ready.gov/fires
- U.S. Fire Administration at www.usfa.fema.gov. View a USFA fire drill video at www.fema.gov/medialibrary/media_records/9989
- Delaware State Fire School at http://statefireschool.delaware.gov/
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