Arvada Fire Department Urges Residents To Have Escape Plan

ARVADA, CO — The Arvada Fire Department is urging residents to develop escape plans. Fire officials said families often don't realize how little time they have to get out of their homes.

"Did you know that fire is faster now than ever before? You only have 3 minutes to get out of your home in the case of a home fire," the department said in a social media post. "That means it's important for you to have an escape plan, know two ways out of every room and have working smoke alarms!"

Because of modern synthetic materials, furniture and construction, fire now spreads faster than ever before, fire officials said.

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Around 40 years ago, residents had an average of 17 minutes to escape from a burning home.

The Arvada Fire Department has also put up a new banner outside Station 2 to encourage people to close doors in their homes before they go to bed.

"In case of fire, a closed door can isolate the fire's flow, reduce room temperature and keep carbon monoxide levels down," the department said in a Facebook post.