Thomasville Fire Rescue is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Fire Prevention Week, October 9-15, 2022. This year’s 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.
Thomasville Fire Rescue encourages all residents to embrace the 2022 Fire Prevention Week theme.
“It’s important for everyone to plan and practice a home fire escape plan so you’re prepared in case of an emergency,” said Thomasville Fire Rescue Chief Tim Connell. “Since every home is different, every home fire escape plan will also be different. Creating a plan that includes everyone in your home should be a priority.”
Thomasville Fire Rescue wants to share these important 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.
- If possible, know at least two ways out of every room and make sure all doors and windows open easily.
- Have an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet.
Thomasville Fire Rescue is hosting a series of events in support of this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign throughout the month of October:
- Fire Safety Calendar Contest. Children in grades K-12 can drop off artwork for the calendar to Station 1 at 100 S. Crawford Street or submit artwork online. Details can be found at thomasville.org.
- Push-In Ceremony and Open House. A new fire engine will be commissioned October 4 at 9 am at Station 1 (100 South Crawford Street). Sparky the Fire Dog and Chase the Police Dog will also be on site for this event.
- Coffee and Conversations with the Chiefs. Thomasville Fire Rescue Chief Tim Connell and Thomasville Police Chief John Letteney will host a community meet and greet at Grassroots Coffee in Downtown Thomasville, October 25 from 7:30-9:30 am.
- Trivia Contests and Fire Prevention Videos. The community has an opportunity to answer trivia questions each week in October for a chance to win gift baskets donated by Ace Hardware, Thomas County Hardware, Stone’s Home Center, and Country Financial. Questions will be posted on the Thomasville Fire Rescue Facebook page, and you can also view important fire safety videos and submit questions for the “What’s your Burning Question” video series.
To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities, visit fpw.org or call Thomasville Fire Rescue at (229) 227-4099.