Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 10-14

As Fire Prevention Week approaches, the Park Forest Fire Department reminds residents that

"Fire won't wait. Plan your escape"

The Park Forest Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) -to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week (FPW), October 9-15, 2022.

This year's FPW campaign, "Fire won't wait. Plan your escape," works to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe from home fires.

"Today's homes burn faster than ever. You may have as little as two minutes (or even less time) to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Your ability to get out of a home during a fire depends on early warning from smoke alarms and advance planning," said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA.

The Park Forest Fire Department encourages all residents to embrace the 2022 Fire Prevention Week theme. Park Forest Fire Chief Tracy Natyshok says it is key for families to discuss what to do in a fire.

"Families should have a meeting and take a tour of their house and test the smoke alarms," said Natyshok. "Kids need to know what it sounds like when a smoke alarm goes off."

Natyshok says it's important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape. He says Everyone needs to be prepared in advance, so that they know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds.

Additionally, every home is different, and Natyshok says every home fire escape plan will also be different, so people should have a plan for everyone in the home.

Park Forest Fire Department wants to share these key home fire escape planning tips:

• Make sure your plan meets the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.

• Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound.

• Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.

• Have an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet.

• Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in the household, including guests. Practice at least once during the day and at night.

The Park Forest Fire Department is hosting a series of events in support of this year's Fire Prevention Week campaign, "Fire won't wait. Plan your escape.", including pop-up events from 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 10, at Talala School and Wednesday, and Oct. 12, at Michelle Obama. The public is encouraged to come to either event and enjoy the demonstrations, hands-on fire extinguisher training, giveaways, games, music, and a free slice of pizza and a drink for the first 50 attendees.

Additionally, the Park Forest Fire Department is hosting will have an Open House with fun activities, vendors, and demonstrations. The department will finish the evening with an outdoor movie that includes hot dogs and popcorn. The Open House will be from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Park Forest Fire Department located at 156 Indianwood Blvd.

To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in Park Forest, click here.

For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and fire prevention in general, visit fpw.org and sparky.org.

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