This year's Fire Prevention Month theme is "Plan, Practice, Be Prepared." We will discuss all aspects of creating your home fire escape plan, how to put the plan into motion, and how to practice the plan with all of your family members.
We'll give you tips to deal with special considerations of a home fire escape plan, including if you have infants, children, elderly, or differently-abled people living in your home.
Fire
Prevention Month History and ProclamationThe first proclamation of Fire Prevention Week was signed by President Calvin Coolidge in 1925, making it the longest-running public health observance in U.S. history. Each year, the National Fire Protection Association observes Fire Prevention Week during the week of October 9 in remembrance of the Great Chicago Fire which began on October 8, 1871, where 250 people were killed and 100,000 were left homeless.
In Oregon, the entire month of October is recognized as Fire Prevention Month. This is most often acknowledged through increased prevention education efforts from the fire service and community outreach events throughout the state.
Fire Prevention Month Governor's Proclamation
Social Media Graphics
2022
Theme and Messaging
Plan, Practice, Be Prepared with a Home Fire Escape Plan
Home fires are burning hotter and faster, leaving as little as two minutes for people to escape. Having a plan and practicing it often can make a lifesaving difference.
Prepare
- Install a smoke alarm on every level of the home, including the basement, outside of sleeping areas, and inside each bedroom.
- Make sure everyone in the home knows the sounds of the alarm and what it means if they hear three beeps.
- Walk through the home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes. Make sure all doors and windows that lead to the outside open easily.
- Make sure street numbers outside your home can easily be seen, both day and night.
- Create a routine of ensuring escape routes are clear of tripping hazards or potential obstacles before going to sleep each night.
- Sleeping with the door closed slows the spread of smoke, heat, and fire.
Plan
- Involve all members of the home.
- Draw a map of each level of the home, showing all doors and windows.
- When possible, identify two ways out of every room and two ways out of your home.
- Teach children to escape on their own in case an adult cannot get to them. Make sure they can open windows, remove screens, and unlock doors.
- Plan for everyone in the home, including those who are unable to exit on their own, including babies, older adults, and individuals with disabilities.
- Identify an outside meeting place in the front of the home at a safe distance, something permanent such as a tree or mailbox. Make sure everyone knows where the meeting place is and to go there if they hear the smoke alarm.
- Ensure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1 from a mobile phone or trusted neighbor's phone and that they know the address of the home.
Practice
- Push the smoke alarm to start the drill.
- Encourage everyone to get low under smoke and get out as quickly as possible.
- Try to get everyone out of the home in two minutes or less. Consider having a timer available to see how long it takes to escape.
- Practice using different ways out.
- Remind everyone to close doors behind them as they leave.
- Go to the outside meeting place.
- In the event of an actual fire, remember to get out quickly and stay out. Never go back inside for people, pets, or things.
Media
Resources
Handouts
The OSFM created a 2022 Fire Prevention Month supplies kit for Oregon fire agencies (available while supplies last).
Each kit includes:
- 150 mini timers to encourage people to practice their 2-minute drill
- 150 lollipops
- 150 coffee sleeves
- 150 “I'm planning my home fire escape" stickers
- 150 fire safety randomizers
- 150 Home Fire Escape Prepare, Plan, and Practice handouts
- Acrylic display stand with QR image and giveaway opportunity
We encourage partners to display the QR code at events and encourage participants to complete a quick survey to enter for a chance to win an OSFM Bigfoot shirt and hat.
Request a kit.
The OSFM has a variety of other printed material available by request. Each resource comes in packs of 50 and is free of charge to Oregon fire agencies.
Request materials here.
Printable Resources
This checklist provides action items for new parents or families living with small children in their home. Caretakers are encouraged to complete the checklist to increase safety throughout the living environment.
Home Safety Checklist (English/Spanish) Interactive booklet for school age children to learn about home escape planning and work with their families to be prepared if a home fire occurs:
Guide to Home Escape Planning for Kids:
English and
Spanish Fun activity used to make a game of home escape planning. This airplane includes important home escape planning messages and when folded, families can follow the airplane through exits and toward a family meeting place.
Home Escape Planning Folding Paper Airplane
Community Event Resources
This document provides guidance and messaging for Oregon's fire service when participating in fire prevention education in schools. From pre-k to high school, this tool has something for all age groups. It is a helpful resource when hosting an education tabling event.
Classroom and Community Events Guide The National Fire Prevention Association created a series of resources that are free and available to support your fire prevention efforts.
NFPA Fire Prevention Week Toolkit The U.S. Fire Administration has a series to support home escape planning and fire prevention, including pictographs with graphic images to model home escape planning. Pictographs from USFA
Classroom and Teacher Resources
PreK- 2nd Grade: 'Learn Not to Burn' is a series of lessons that provide age-appropriate prevention education to children from pre-k through 2nd grade. Educators can download these lessons, free of charge, in both English and Spanish.
Learn Not to Burn 2nd-3rd Grade: This kit includes everything a teacher and fire service educator needs to teach 2nd and 3rd grade students about fire safety importance. From handouts and parent letters to digital whiteboard activities and storybooks, this program allows educators to dive right into Fire Prevention Month.
SoundOff with the Home Fire Safety Patrol The NFPA compiled a collection of resources to support parents, educators, and fire service professionals in their prevention efforts.
Sparky's School House Kahoot!
NFPA Kids has created four Kahoot's for an interactive tool in the classroom while testing and reinforcing important fire prevention education.
NFPA Kid's interactive classroom fire safety education in partnership with Kahoot! Academy!
Downloadable Materials
Fire Safety Randomizer: English | Spanish
FPM 2022 Brochure