This year marks the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week (FPW). This year’s FPW campaign, “Fire won’t wait. Plan your escape™,” works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires. Fire Prevention Week officially runs from October 9 – 15, 2022, but it’s never too early to think about fire safety!
Today’s homes burn faster than ever. You may have as little as two minutes (or even less time) to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Your ability to get out of a home during a fire depends on early warning from smoke alarms and advance planning.
Home fire escape planning and practicing
It is important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape. Everyone needs to be prepared in advance, so that they know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds. Given that every home is different, every home fire escape plan will also be different. Have a plan for everyone in the home. Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need assistance to wake up and get out. Make sure that someone will help them!
Smoke alarms
Smoke alarms sense smoke well before you can, alerting you to danger. Smoke alarms need to be in every bedroom, outside of the sleeping areas (like a hallway), and on each level (including the basement) of your home. Do not put smoke alarms in your kitchen or bathrooms.
Downloadable Activities
DIY Home Fire Escape Plan English (download) | Español (download) |
Family Action Plan English (download) | Español (download) |
