With Fire Prevention Week set to get underway Sunday, emergency officials in Port Moody are asking people to practise and familiarize themselves with their home escape plan.
Deputy Chief Kirk Heaven said when a blaze breaks out in a home, residents need to have at least two ways of getting out of every room, usually through a door and a window. Families should also have an outdoor meeting place, like a tree or mailbox, where they can convene after an emergency to ensure that everyone is safe.
"In a typical home fire, you may have as little as two minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds," Heaven said. "It's important to plan and practice your escape at least twice a year so that everyone knows what to do in a fire and is prepared to escape quickly and safely."
He added that a home escape plan should work for all members of a household, including people with hearing aids, glasses, walkers or wheelchairs.
"As part of your planning process, check to make sure you have working smoke alarms on every level of the home, in every bedroom and near all sleeping areas," he said.
More information or to download a planning forms can be found at the National Fire Protection Association website (nfpa.org).
