It's Fire Prevention Week

In support of Fire Prevention Week, the Decorah Fire Department encourages everyone to develop a home escape plan and practice it together.

A home escape plan includes having functioning smoke alarms on every level of the home, in every bedroom, and near all sleeping areas. It also includes having two ways out of every room, usually a door and a window, with a clear path to an outside meeting place (like a tree, light pole, or mailbox) a safe distance away from the home.

The Decorah Fire Department offers these additional tips and recommendations for developing and practicing a home escape plan:

• Draw a map of your home with all members of your household, marking two exits from each room and a path to the outside from each exit.

• Practice your home fire drill twice a year. Conduct one at night and one during the day with everyone in your home, and practice using different ways out.

• Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can't help them.

• Make sure the number of your home is clearly marked and easy for the fire department to find.

• Close doors behind you as you leave -- this may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire.

• Once you get outside, stay outside. Never go back inside a burning building.

For more information about Fire Prevention Week activities in Decorah, visit www.decorahia.org/firedept or connect with us on Facebook. To learn more about this year's Fire Prevention Week campaign, "Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out"  visit firepreventionweek.org.