Celebrate National Night Out in New Tampa

Tampa Fire Rescue is kicking off National Fire Prevention Month by taking part in another well-known annual observance – National Night Out.

Personnel from the fire department will be on hand at Hunters Green Park for the Hunters Green Neighborhood Watch’s celebration of this anti-crime event tonight, Oct. 2. The event is expected to run from 6 to 8 p.m.

“Tampa Fire Rescue will be there to meet and greet you and your family,” a media release from the department said. “Come learn about fire safety, talk to our crews, and see the trucks while you are out and about.”

While National Night Out is typically dedicated to crime prevention, firefighters hope to raise awareness during the event.

“Tampa Fire Rescue is teaming up with NFPA during Fire Prevention Week, October 7-13, 2012, and National Fire Prevention Month, to urge residents to ‘Have Two Ways Out,’” the release said. “This year's theme focuses on the importance of fire escape planning and practice. In 2010, U.S. fire departments responded to 369,500 home structure fires. These fires caused 13,350 civilian injuries, 2,640 civilian deaths, and $6.9 billion in direct damage,” the release said.

"One home structure was reported every 85 seconds in 2010," says Debra Sue Warshefski of Tampa Fire Rescue's Public Information Office. "Fire is unpredictable and moves faster than most people realize. Having a tried and true escape plan with two ways out is essential to ensuring your family's
safety should fire break out in your home. Prepare now, before the emergency."

Fire Safety Tips

Tampa Fire Rescue’s media release recommends the following tips for planning your family's escape:

• Make a map of your home. Mark a door and a window that can be used to get out of every room.
• Choose a meeting place outside in front of your home. This is where everyone can meet once they've escaped. Draw a picture of your outside meeting place on your escape plan. Have a second location in the event the first is not available.
• Write the emergency telephone number for the fire department on your escape plan.
• Have a grown-up sound the smoke alarm and practice your escape plan with everyone living in your home.
• Keep your escape plan on the refrigerator and remind grown-ups to have your family practice the plan at least twice a year when you change your batteries or whenever anyone in your home celebrates a birthday.

Is your neighborhood celebrating National Night Out? Let us know about the celebration in the comments section.