How Ankeny is Honoring National Fire Prevention Week

It's National Fire Prevention Week and the Ankeny Fire Department wants to make sure your home is safe from fires and fire hazards.

According to the nonprofit National Fire Protection Association, one-third of Americans households think they would have at least six minutes before a fire in their home would become life threatening.

Unfortunately, that is not always the case.

Which is why the Ankeny Fire Department is teaming up with the NFPA during Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 7-13, to urge residents to “Have Two Ways Out!” According to a press release issued by the department, this year’s theme focuses on the importance of fire escape planning and practice.

“One home structure was reported every 85 seconds in 2010,” says Chief Rex Mundt of the Ankeny Fire Department. “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.”

The Ankeny Fire Department 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.
• 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 twice a year or whenever anyone in your home celebrates a birthday.

Ankeny Fire Department Open House is Wednesday

The Ankeny Fire Department is hosting its annual Fire Prevention Week Open House on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. The open house will feature fun and educational activities for both children and parents.

To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in Ankeny, contact the Ankeny Fire Department at 515-965-6469. To learn more about “Have Two Ways Out!,” visit NFPA’s Web site at www.firepreventionweek.org.