Firefighters share lifesaving tips

October is Fire Prevention Month and city firefighters are going school-to-school to teach children awareness and fire safety rules throughout the month.

This year’s prevention theme is “Have 2 Ways Out!”

Lt. Mark Gualtieri said firefighters try to send out the same good messages each year that help save lives.

“The message never changes, but we’re always trying to find different ways to get that message out,” Gualtieri said.

Throughout October, representatives of the fire department visit between 8-10 schools and see approximately 2,000 children during Fire Prevention Month. They also plan to host at least 500 youths for in-house tours of Central Fire Station. Children will not only learn about fire safety and how to handle emergencies, but also get a first look at a day in the life of a firefighter. The fire department is also hosting a poster contest.

Firefighters’ universal message this October is to stress the importance of fire escape planning and practice to not only children, but entire families.

“Fire deaths can be prevented,” said Firemen’s Association of the State of New York President James Burns. “Implementing and practicing an escape plan in the home increases the chance of survival. Every year, we see tragic losses of life that don’t have to happen, and that can be avoided by following a few basic safety rules.”

Fires can spread quickly through a home, leaving occupants with roughly two minutes to escape safely, once the smoke detector alarms sound. Yet, according to the National Fire Protection Association, one-third of American households who made an estimate thought they would have at least six minutes before a fire in their home would become life-threatening.

In 2010, U.S. fire departments responded to 369,500 house fires. The fires caused 13,350 injuries, 2,640 deaths and $6.9 billion in direct damage.

“Fire Prevention Month and Fire Prevention Week are perfect opportunities to teach and remind the public about fire safety and why it is so important,” said Burns. “FASNY, our member fire departments and volunteer firefighters state-wide urge all New Yorkers to take fire safety as seriously as we do.”

Area firefighters have provided the following fire safety tips:

• Make a map of your home. Mark a door and a window that can be used to get out of every room.
• Choose a meeting place outside, in front of your home. This is where everyone can meet once they’ve escaped. Draw a picture of your outside meeting place on your escape plan.
• Write the emergency telephone number for the fire department on your escape plan.
• Have a grown-up sound the smoke alarm and practice your escape plan with everyone living in your home.
• Keep your escape plan on the refrigerator and remind adults to have your family practice the plan twice a year or whenever anyone in your home celebrates a birthday.