Fire Prevention Week, which runs from October 8 to 14, provides fire departments across the country the opportunity to remind the public about the importance of fire prevention.
Each year the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) develops a theme for Fire Prevention Week. This year’s theme is “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out” The key messages of this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign are:
- 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.
To conclude the week, the Cape Coral Fire Department will host their eighth annual Open House. On Saturday, October 14, the public is invited to visit any of Cape Coral’s ten fire stations from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. Each station provides visitors the opportunity to take a tour, meet firefighters, and learn about the fire apparatus and equipment.
In addition, fun, educational, and different activities and displays will be available at each station. Some of these include: Cape Coral Police Department SWAT and K9 units, fingerprinting for kids, Florida Forest Service bulldozers and Smokey Bear, helicopters from Lee County Mosquito Control District and Lee County EMS, an interactive, inflatable fire safety smoke house, vehicle extrication demonstrations, a junior firefighter obstacle course for the kids, a Lee County EMS ambulance display, pet safety and adoptable dogs from the Gulf Coast Humane Society, a scavenger hunt, and more.
So mark your calendar to come explore the CCFD stations and Open House activities and displays on Saturday, October 14th! And remember, it is important for fire safety and prevention to be practiced year round! The Cape Coral Fire Department offers fire safety programs for all ages and for a variety of groups. For more information and to schedule, please call (239) 242-3303.
