September 20, 2018 - Sonora - In a typical home fire, you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Knowing how to use that time wisely takes planning and practice.

CAL FIRE Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit (TCU) and Tuolumne County Fire Department (TCFD) are teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) to promote this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign from October 7^th through October 13^th, 2018 , “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere™,” which works to educate the public about basic but essential ways to quickly and safely escape a home fire.

NFPA statistics show that the number of U.S. home fires has been steadily declining over the past few decades. However, the death rate per 1000 home fires that are reported to fire departments was 10 percent higher in 2016 than in 1980. NFPA notes that “although people feel safest in their home, it is also the place they are at greatest risk to fire, with four out of five U.S. fire deaths occurring at home. That over-confidence contributes to a complacency toward home escape planning and practice.”

This year’s “Look. Listen. Learn.” Campaign highlights three steps people can take to help quickly and safely escape a fire:

• Look for places fire could start.
• Listen for the sound of the smoke alarm.
• Learn 2 ways out of every room.

While CALFIRE TCU, TCFD and NFPA are focusing on home fires, these fire safety messages apply to virtually anywhere.

“Situational awareness is a skill people need to use wherever they go,” said Emily Kilgore. “No matter where you are, look for available exits. If the alarm system sounds, take it seriously and exit the building immediately.”

Tuolumne County Fire Department is hosting a series of events in support of this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Look. Listen. Learn.,” including three fire station open house tours. Meet your local firefighters, tour the station, and enjoy interactive activities for the kids on:

Fire Prevention Week Kick-Off, Sunday, October 7^th, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

• Station 76, Jamestown
  18249 4th Ave., Jamestown 95327

• Station 78, Groveland
  18930 Highway 120, Groveland, CA 95321

Fire Prevention Week Conclusion, Saturday, October 13th, 2018 from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

• Station 51, Mono Village
  19500 Hillsdale Dr., Sonora 95370

For more information about Fire Prevention Week and home escape planning, visit www.firepreventionweek.org, or CAL FIRE at www.ReadyForWildfire.org.