October Is Fire Prevention Month

From the VA:

IT’S FIRE PREVENTION MONTH!
 
 Safety concerns are always a concern at our homes, according to available research the risks of falls, fires and water are the greatest. According to the national Institute of Standards and Technology “four-fifths of all fire deaths occur in homes.” The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends the following:
–Everyone should have a home fire escape plan.
–Include everyone in your household in the planning process and practice the plan at least twice a year. Plan for anyone who has a disability.
–Make sure that there are two ways out of every room and out of every building.
–Have a meeting place (something permanent, like a tree, light pole, or mail box) in front of the home where everyone should meet after escaping a fire.
–Keep a phone for emergency calls by your bed in case you become trapped by smoke or fire and are unable to escape.
–People who are hearing impaired and use text telephone devices (TTYs-TDDs) should call the TTY-equipped 911 center or the emergency services center in their communities.
–Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside each bedroom and outside all sleeping areas. Test smoke alarms monthly. If you are unable to reach the alarm, consider getting alarms that you can test with a flashlight or a television remote.
–you must wait for rescue, close the door to keep smoke out, wait by a window, and make your presence known to arriving firefighters.