The New Rochelle Fire Department is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign (Oct 7-13), Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere™, which works to educate the public about basic but essential ways to quickly and safely escape a home fire.

“Experience has shown us, unfortunately, that people often make choices in fire situations that jeopardize their safety or even cost them their lives,” said New Rochelle Fire Chief Andy Sandor. “This year’s focus is on the potentially life-saving difference escape planning and practice can make. We hope it will motivate everyone to action.”

This year’s campaign highlights three steps residents can take to help quickly and safely escape a fire:

• Look for places fire could start.
• Listen for the sound of the smoke alarm.
• Learn 2 ways out of every room.

Although people feel safest in their home, it is also the place people are at greatest risk to fire, with four out of five U.S. fire deaths occurring at home. That over-confidence contributes to a complacency toward home escape planning and practice.

The National Fire Protection Association statistics show that the number of U.S. home fires has been steadily declining over the past few decades. However, the death rate per 1000 home fires that are reported to fire departments was 10 percent higher in 2016 than in 1980.

While NFPA and the New Rochelle Fire Department are focusing on home fires, these fire safety messages apply to virtually anywhere.

“Situational awareness is a skill people need to use wherever they go,” said Sandor. “No matter where you are, look for available exits. If the alarm system sounds, take it seriously and exit the building immediately.”

For more information on this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere™”, visit www.firepreventionweek.org.