Safety tips during National Fire Prevention Week
Fire officials are urging people to practice fire drills at their homes and offices as part of National Fire Prevention Week.
Rhode Island Acting State Fire Marshal James Gumbley said parents should talk with their children and identify at least two ways to escape a room in the event of a fire.
“Have them draw a map. Show two ways out of every room whether it's a window and a door, and especially a meeting spot," Gumbley said. "After you leave the house, have a spot outside where you can account for everybody to make sure everybody's out. That's critical.”
Gumbley said make sure windows and doors can be unlocked or opened from the inside, and don't have things blocking the window.
“I see that all the time,” Gumbley said. “People who put an air conditioner on right in front of a fire escape and that's their way out, so don't do that.”
The National Fire Protection Association estimates that there's a house fire in the United States every 86 seconds. Gumbley said most of the fires in Rhode Island happen in one and two family homes.
“You could have a faulty furnace that's generating carbon monoxide, it could cause a fire. You may have an electrical hazard, smoking, cooking,” he said.
As part of National Fire Prevention Week, Gumbley said it's also a good time to make sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Fire officials also stress to make sure you close the doors as you leave the house. It can help slow the spread of fire, smoke and heat.