OCTOBER 4, 2007 - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm issued a proclamation in honor of Fire Prevention Week October 7-13, 2007 to encourage homeowners to protect themselves and their families by preparing and practicing an escape plan for their home.

In 2006, 139 Michigan residents lost their lives in fires and hundreds more were injured. It's estimated that more than half of fire deaths can be prevented with properly located and maintained smoke alarms on every floor and a home escape plan that is practiced with the entire family.

The Michigan Bureau of Fire Services joins the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and other state and national organizations in recognizing Fire Prevention Week. This year's campaign, "Practice Your Escape Plan," places extra emphasis on preparing an escape plan for the home and practicing fire safety drills.

"In less than three minutes, your home could be totally engulfed in flames. Every second counts and members of your family should know how to react quickly and calmly," Michigan State Fire Marshal Andy Neumann said. "This only happens when everyone knows what to do if a fire does occur and practices their plan routinely."

According to the latest NFPA research, 3,035 people died in 2005 from home fires and only 23% of households have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan.

Neumann encourages families to take focus on this year's theme by calling a family meeting to discuss what to do if a fire occurs in their home. He suggests families take the following steps: 

• Draw a floor plan of your home and identify at least two ways out of each room, especially bedrooms, and talk about the ways out with each family member; 
• If your home has two floors, place escape ladders in or near windows to provide an additional escape route; 
• Young children and older citizens may require special assistance to escape and may need someone else's help; 
• Identify a meeting place outside the home - once out, NEVER go back inside; 
• Call the fire department from outside the home as soon as possible.

Neumann added that since the majority of fatal fires occur when people are sleeping, working smoke alarms are essential.

"Smoke alarms serve as an early warning device and should be installed on every level of the home as well as inside and outside of each sleeping area," Neumann said. "In today's times of modern technology, many people are also looking toward taking advantage of residential sprinkler systems. These systems are designed to put the fire out before it can become a problem and are a relatively inexpensive way to provide an even greater safety environment for your family."

More information about home fire escape plans and all forms of fire prevention are available on the NFPA's official Fire Prevention Week website at www.firepreventionweek.org. 

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