This year’s campaign, “Fire Won’t Wait. Plan your Escape” aims to educate Mifflin Township and Gahanna residents on actions to keep them safe from fires.

GAHANNA, Ohio  – “Fire Won’t Wait, Plan Your Escape!” That’s the message behind this year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign. The campaign, launched nationally by the National Fire Protection Association, runs Oct. 9-15 and aims to educate everyone about simple but important actions they can take to keep themselves and those around them safe.

In celebration of this week, Mifflin Township Division of Fire will host “Adventure Day at the Firehouse,” held on Sunday, Oct. 9 at Firehouse Station 131, 475 Rocky Fork Blvd. from 1 to 4 p.m.

This year marks 100 years of Fire Prevention Week. While the event was suspended in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it will resume this year and bring back old favorites, featuring a visit from a MedFlight helicopter and the fire mascot Sparky the Dog. Firefighters and fire safety educators will be there to teach kids about staying safe during fires.

“Today’s homes burn faster than ever with the amount of newer materials throughout our homes. In fact, homes today burn eight times faster than 50 years ago, said Chief Frederick Kauser. “You may have as little as two minutes to safely escape a home fire from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Knowing this, it’s critical to plan and practice a home fire escape. Children, older adults and people with disabilities may need help to get out.”

Mifflin firefighters suggest the following home fire escape planning tips:

• Make sure your plan meets the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
• Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Smoke alarms should be interconnected so when one sounds, they all sound.
• Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.
• Have an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet.
• Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in the household, including guests. Practice at least once during the day and at night.

To find out more about Fire Prevention Week programs and activities in Mifflin Township, please contact the Mifflin Township Division of Fire at fire@mifflin-oh.gov or (614) 471-4494. For more general information about Fire Prevention Week, visit www.nfpa.org/fpw and www.Sparky.org