Sunday: Nanuet Fire Dept. Open House

Editor's Note: The following is user-generated

In an effort to better educate the community, the Nanuet Fire Department is hosting a Fire Prevention Open House on Sunday, October 14, 2012 starting at 12:00 noon. Through this family-oriented activity, residents young and old can learn more about the importance of fire escape planning and practice, as well as smoke alarms; options for installing and maintaining them properly, and ultimately, how to better protect their loved ones from fire.

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 in 2010,” says Chief AJ Knapp, of the Nanuet Fire Department. “Fire is unpredictable and moves faster than most people realize. Having a tried and true escape plan with two ways is essential to ensuring your family’s safety should fire break out in your home.”

The Nanuet Fire Department 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 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.

To learn more about Fire Prevention Safety in your home, please visit the Nanuet Fire Department web site atwww.nanuetfd.org or www.firepreventionweek.org