- By Geoff Dunn
- Around Town
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Fire Prevention Week is October 6th – 12th. The theme this year is "Not every hero wears a cape. Plan and practice your escape."
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):
Seventy-one percent of households have a fire escape plan, but only 47% have practiced it. One-third believe they have at least six minutes before a fire becomes life-threatening. Only 8% said their first thought was to get out when they heard the smoke alarm.
The fact is, 30 years ago, people had 17 minutes to escape a home fire: now they have about two minutes. New construction practices and materials, as well as the furniture inside, cause fires to burn faster. Another hazard found in many homes is synthetic materials such as rubber, plastic or foam. When those materials burn, they can cause cyanide poisoning.
Escape planning and practice can help families make the most of the time they have, giving everyone enough time to get out.
Two local fire agencies will mark Fire Prevention Week with Open Houses scheduled for Saturday, October 12th. Dryden's Neptune Host Company will welcome visitors between 11am and 3pm, while the Trumansburg Fire Department will hold its open house from 9am to Noon. Both will offer tours and demonstrations, as well as fun activities for the whole family.
Fire Prevention Week is recognized annually by the National Fire Protection Association, and commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of 1871.
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