Plum-Oakmont Fire Departments Observe Fire Prevention Week

Oakmont and Plum volunteer fire departments are spreading the word about safety this week.

The National Fire Protection Association's Fire Prevention Week began Sunday and continues through Saturday, Oct. 13.

The Oakmont Fire Department will be talking to local students at Tenth Street Elementary and Saint Irenaeus School about safety. Unity Fire Department in Plum will be doing the same at area schools.

This year's theme is "Have Two Ways Out," which focuses on fire escape planning and practice.

David Carroll, Captain and Fire Prevention Chairman of the Oakmont Fire
Department, said it's an important lesson to learn.

“Fire is unpredictable and moves faster than most people realize," he said. "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.”

Oakmont 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.

For more about Fire Prevention Week, click here.

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