In recognition of 2018 Fire Prevention Week which runs from Oct. 7-13, Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshal Mike Causey is urging everyone to uphold this year’s campaign theme, “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere.”
“Prevention is the first step in protecting our families from fire,” said Commissioner Causey. “That’s why Fire Prevention Week is so important to bring awareness to the risk of death in case of a fire and provide educational resources to keep everyone safe.”
So far in 2018, there have been 113 fire deaths in North Carolina. The majority of those fires happened in homes without the presence of a working smoke alarm.
“Smoke alarms can mean the difference between life and death in a fire, said Commissioner Causey. “Working smoke alarms cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half.”
This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere,” works to educate people about three basic but essential steps to take to reduce the likelihood of having a fire –– and how to escape safely in the event of one:
LOOK
Look for places fire could start. Take a good look around your home. Identify potential fire hazards and take care of them.
LISTEN
Listen for the sound of the smoke alarm. You could have only minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Go to your outside meeting place, which should be a safe distance from the home and where everyone should know to meet.
LEARN
Learn two ways out of every room and make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily and are free of clutter.
The public can help celebrate Fire Prevention Week by attending events in their local communities. Many local fire departments will be holding open houses, giving firehouse tours and visiting classrooms. Visit your fire department’s website or go to www.ncdoi.com/fireprevention for a list of events near you.