You can get the jump on National Fire Prevention Week Oct. 8-14 with two free fire safety events.
On Thursday, Oct. 5, the town of Farragut Fire Prevention Office and the Knox County Fire Prevention Bureau will provide fire safety demonstrations for residents and businesses at 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Farragut Town Hall, 11408 Municipal Center Drive.
And on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., the Knox County Fire Prevention Bureau and the Rural Metro Fire Department will host the 10th annual Fire Safety Festival in the parking lot of Best Buy, 11491 Parkside Drive. Emergency first responders will provide life and fire safety information, emergency preparedness, and games and children’s activities.
Members of the city of Knoxville Fire Department, Rural Metro Fire and EMS, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, Knoxville Volunteer Rescue Squad and other agencies will attend.
Both events are intended to drive home one point: being prepared for fire saves lives.
“Since 1922, the month of October has been designated to emphasize fire safety. However, one should consider fire safety year-round, not just once a year, “said Dan Johnson, town of Farragut fire marshal.
Each event will offer one-on-one instruction in how to use a fire extinguisher and how to make a fire escape plan. Johnson said citizens should draw maps of their homes designating two ways out and teach children to exit the home without the help of an adult.
“Once you get outside, stay outside. Learning how to properly select and use a portable fire extinguisher adds another layer of safety,” he said.
Fire experts say you may have as few as two minutes to escape a typical home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds.
The National Fire Protection Association, a nonprofit that establishes and updates fire prevention safeguards, said that fewer than half of Americans know that a home fire escape plan should include working smoke alarms, two ways out of each room and an outside meeting place.
NFPA adopted “Every Second Counts: Plan Two Ways Out” as the theme for this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign.
Participants can drop by the Thursday fire safety demonstrations any time during each one-hour session. Info: Call 218.3389.