Look, Listen and Learn

Have you tested your smoke alarm recently? If not, it’s a good time to do so, since this week is National Fire Prevention Week. This year’s theme is “Look, Listen, and Learn – Be Aware Fire Can Happen Anywhere.” Four out of five fire-related deaths occur in residences every year, so it’s extremely important for homeowners and renters to be proactive about fire safety at home. A good fire escape plan is necessary, since home fires burn frighteningly fast, and you may only have 1-2 minutes to get out safely. Back to that smoke alarm, three out of every five home fire deaths occur in homes without a properly functioning smoke alarm; in the event of a fire, a working smoke alarm can reduce the risk of death by 50 percent. Travis County fire officials have responded to at least one home fire a week in the past year. The county fire marshal’s prevention message this year contains three alliterative components to help encourage vigilance: Look for places where fire could start, listen for the sound of the fire alarm, and learn two ways out of every room.