The Bakersfield Fire Department is taking part in Fire Prevention Week by reminding people to be ready in case of an emergency.
BFD is teaming up with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the official sponsor of Fire Prevention Week, to promote this year's Fire Prevention Week campaign, "Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere," which works to educate the public about ways to quickly and safely escape a home fire.
BFD Chief Anthony Galagaza said 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.
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.
"Working in the fire service for many years, we know that people often make choices in fire situations that jeopardize their safety or even cost them their lives," said Galagaza. "We need to do a better job of teaching people about the potentially life-saving difference escape planning and practice can make and motivating them to action."
For more information please visit: www.BakersfieldFire.us or contact BFD Public Information @ (661) 326-3688 or 706-3688 for additional information.
For more information about Fire Prevention Week and home escape planning, visit www.firepreventionweek.org.
