True fire safety requires practice Published Sept. 26, 2007 By David Isbill Laughlin Fire Department LAUGHLIN AFB, Texas -- The 2007 Fire Prevention Week theme is "Practice Your Escape Plan." This year's FPW focuses on how to plan and practice an escape plan from your home in case of a fire. Unlike many things that can get postponed for a day or two with little consequence, planning and practicing your home fire escape simply isn't one of them. According to the National Fire Protection Association, 3,030 people were killed in 381,000 home fires in 2005 - that's one person every three hours. Does preparing for escape still sound like something that can be put off for another day? If a fire occurs, you need to be prepared to escape from it and preparation comes with practice. Developing a fire escape plan is not enough, you need to practice it. If you have not taken the time to plan and practice your home fire escape plan, you are not alone. Nationally, studies show that only 23 percent of households have practiced. This is something that can literally mean the difference between surviving a fire or being the victim of one. It's time for the residents of Laughlin AFB and the surrounding communities to get ready for the very real possibility that a fire can occur in their home and be prepared to get out alive. Here's what people need to do: · Test smoke alarms at least once a month. · Develop a fire escape plan that identifies two ways out of each room and a family meeting place outside. · Make sure your plan allows for any specific needs in your household. If everyone knows what to do, everyone can get out quickly. · Practice using the plan, at least twice a year. If everyone knows that everyone else is ready to exit quickly, no one will lose precious time trying to help someone who doesn't need help. · Some children and adults may not awaken to the sound of the smoke alarm. They may need help to wake up. October 7-13 is Fire Prevention Week and this year's theme is Practice Your Escape Plan. What better time to remind Laughlin members that the time is now to make a fire escape plan and practice it? This is also an opportunity for individuals and communities to join together to promote fire safety and be a part of The Great American Fire Drill. And don't forget once you move it to your "done" list, it is something that should be reviewed and practiced at least twice a year.