Thomas and The Mena Fire Dept Team Up to Promote Fire Safety

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and State Farm Agent Matt Thomas are teaming up with the Mena Fire Department in support of Fire Prevention Week, an annual public awareness campaign that promotes critical home fire safety messages. NFPA has been the official sponsor of the campaign for more than 90 years.

State Farm is delivering Fire Prevention Week toolkits to more than 300 fire departments across the U.S.  including Arkansas. The Mena Fire Department is among the communities selected to receive one.

Each toolkit includes a host of resources for promoting Fire Prevention Week, including brochures, magnets, posters and more. The Fire Department will be sharing these resources at schools and other community events this fall in support of the campaign.

“Actively supporting local fire departments is important to us at State Farm,” said Thomas. “We’re thrilled to team up with NFPA and deliver Fire Prevention Week toolkits. I want our local fire department to have the best resources to deliver its fire safety messages in our community.”

This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!,” October 6-12,  focuses on the importance of developing and practicing a home escape plan. In a typical home fire, people may have as little as two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Knowing how to use that time wisely is critical.

Following are some tips and recommendations for developing and practicing a home escape plan:

• Draw a map of your home showing all doors and windows.

• Visit each room. Find two ways out.

• Make sure your home has smoke alarms. Test them.

• Pick a meeting place in front of your home.

• Talk about your plan with all in your home.

• Practice your home fire drill regularly, at least twice a year!

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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