Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company Open Houses on Sunday, October 13

Simsbury Volunteer Fire Company's Open Houses will be Sunday, October 13 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. This year each of the department’s stations will offer fire prevention programs, safety literature, displays, and demonstrations. Fire trucks and equipment will be on display.

For Fire Prevention Week, the fire company is assisting in fire drills and giving fire safety presentations at Simsbury schools. This year Fire Prevention Week is being observed nationwide from October 6 through 12, and the theme is "Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!”

NFPA statistics show that in 2017 U.S. fire departments responded to 357,000 home structure fires. These fires caused 2,630 fire deaths and 10,600 fire injuries. On average, seven people died in a fire in a home per day during 2012 to 2016.

“These numbers show that home fires continue to pose a significant threat to safety,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of Outreach and Advocacy. “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. Escape planning and practice can help you make the most of the time you have, giving everyone enough time to get out.”

No matter where you are, look for available exits. If the alarm system sounds, take it seriously and exit the building immediately. For more general information about Fire Prevention Week and home escape planning, visit www.fpw.org.

Fire Prevention Week commemorates the Great Chicago Fire of October 8, 1871. According to the NFPA, “the fire killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began on October 8, but continued into and did most of its damage on October 9, 1871.” Fire Prevention Week, sponsored by the NFPA for over 90 years, is the longest-running public health and safety observance on record.