Practice your fire escape plan Published Oct. 2, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Tyler Koehn McGuire Fire Emergency Services MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. -- Every year, fire prevention week kicks off on the anniversary week of the Great Chicago Fire which occurred Oct. 8-10, 1871. The Great Chicago Fire burned more than 2,000 acres, claimed more than 300 lives, destroyed more than17,000 buildings, and left nearly 100,000 victims homeless in less than 27 hours. The fire service community learned a lot from that experience. Updates in life safety and fire prevention codes over the last 136 years have led to a dramatic cut in loss to life and property. This year's fire prevention week theme is "Practice your Escape Plan!" Facilities on base and families are encouraged to sound off their fire alarms and practice safe evacuation procedures. If you plan on doing this in your work area, call the McGuire Fire Department Fire Prevention office at (609) 754-2451 for guidance. What can you do to prevent fires? It is easy. Pay attention to what you and others around you are doing. If you see an unsafe situation, fix it, and advise the person who created the problem of how they should have had handled the situation. Many people are completely unaware of when they are creating dangerous fire hazards. A lot of little things are overlooked, but a lot of little things add up and eventually could equal a big problem. Most fires and fire-related injuries are caused by unattended cooking; stepping away from what you are cooking for just the shortest amount of time can present problems that are everlasting. Smoking fires account for the most fire-related deaths. This is because people smoke in bed and fall asleep or are under the influence of alcohol and are careless. To start off this year's program, the McGuire Fire Department will be parading their fire trucks throughout Falcon Courts North and East. Firefighters, along with Sparky the Fire Dog and Smokey Bear, will be giving away candy and fire prevention tips. This will take place Oct. 7 at 4:30 p.m. Also during the week, the fire department will be visiting base schools and Child Development Center's to educate children on fire safety. Parents are advised to help their children come up with good questions to ask the firefighters. The fire department will start at the CDC's Oct. 9 and will continue at the base schools Oct. 10-12. Children will learn how to stop, drop, and roll, view firefighter gear, and receive a bag of fire prevention items, which will include a firefighter badge and helmet. Children will also go over proper evacuation procedures and get to look at a fire truck. Smokey Bear and Sparky the Fire Dog will make appearances at Discovery School. Additionally, the fire department will host an open house Oct. 12, 1 to 5 p.m., to allow visitors to look at the fire trucks and see how firefighters live while they work their 24-hour shifts. Fire prevention items and training will be available to anyone who shows up at the open house. Fire prevention week will wrap up at the BX/PX Oct. 13, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. McGuire, Fort Dix, and Lakehurst fire departments will have numerous fire trucks, equipment, and different fire safety displays exhibited. The Fort Dix Fire Department will be providing a fire safety smoke house, which will simulate a house fire and teach children how to stay low and evacuate their house. Sparky the Fire Dog will also be there to meet and greet children. Taking appropriate actions before, during, and after fire situations is critical and could save your life and other lives. The McGuire Fire Department has a dedicated team that ensures all members at McGuire are safe and knowledgeable about fire safety. If you are ever in need of training, have questions concerning fire safety, or would like more information on this year's Fire Prevention Week activities, call the McGuire Fire Department office at (609) 754-2451.