The 2019 theme focuses on being prepared to evacuate if a fire should occur in your home. (Courtesy graphic)

Fire Prevention Week 2019

Chièvres, Belgium -- Fire Prevention Week commemorates the Great Chicago Fire that occurred October 8-9, 1871. The 2 day blaze killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 more homeless, and destroyed more than 17,000 buildings. That tragedy inspired reform across America, spurring new fire safety codes and public awareness campaigns.  Each October, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) serves as the official sponsor of a United States nationwide fire prevention campaign to highlight the importance of fire safety education.The 2019 theme focuses on being prepared to evacuate if a fire should occur in your home.  

If you are confronted with a fire in your home you must be prepared. Even more so if children are involved.

1. Plan: Make a plan. Look at your escape options from each room, especially rooms that are above the ground floor. If possible you should have two ways out. Designate an outside  meeting point at a safe location. Know the emergency number. Know your address details if you call emergency services.

2. Practice: Once you have a plan you should practice it. Make sure escape windows open easily. Make sure your exit options are never blocked or cluttered. Go thru the motions as if you were literally trying to escape. If kids are involved, try to make a game of it. Test your smoke detectors. Make sure the batteries are replaced in time. What if a locked door needs a key to open it? Think about options to have the key availble should you need it.

3. Get your priorities straight: If fire occurs evacuation has the highest priority. Then call emergency services. Don’t try to be the hero and give priority to trying to extinguish a fire. Real HERO’s give life safety top priority, evacuate first.

On Saturday Oct. 12, 2019 from noon to 4 p.m.,  the Chièvres Air Base Fire Department will be hosting a Fire Department Open House in their facilities. For more information, you can contact the USAG Benelux Fire Prevention Office in Chièvres, DSN 361.5347 or +32(0)68.25.5347.

For more information on fire prevention, you can call the garrison’s fire prevention office:
- Chièvres at DSN 361.5347 or +32 (0)68.25.5347.
- Brunssum at DSN 597.4119 or +31 (0)45.534.0119.

More information is also available on the NFPA website: www.fpw.org.

Courtesy to the Gazette