CFO and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis Highlights Fire Prevention Week

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - With studies showing adults over 50 have an elevated risk for injury or death in a fire, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis warns Floridians about the dangers of not having a fire escape plan during prevention week. Fire Prevention Week's theme this year—Not Every Hero Wears A Cape, Plan and Practice Your Escape™—is aimed at educating the public on important steps you can take to keep yourself and those around you safe.
 
CFO Jimmy Patronis said, "In 2018 there were 190 deaths in Florida due to unintentional fires, and sadly many of these could have been prevented. Floridians should always be prepared by creating and practicing a home escape plan with loved ones. Testing your smoke alarms quarterly is also crucial to remaining safe in the event of a fire. Taking time to prepare now can prevent fire-related tragedies in the future."
 
CFO Jimmy Patronis Offers 5 Protection Tips for Fire Emergencies:

1. Create a meeting place. If your home or business is on fire, it's important to evacuate immediately. Identifying a location away from the building prior to a fire emergency will allow for all individuals to meet in a safe, designated area away from harm.
 
2. Map it out. Make sure you have two ways out of every room. Families should develop an escape plan and practice it often. Since you have as little as one to two minutes to escape a fire, it is critical that everyone in the family knows two ways out of every room and what to do when their alarm sounds.
 
3. Smoke alarm. Having working smoke alarms is essential. Smoke alarms are a vital early warning feature since fires burn much faster than most people imagine. You should have a smoke alarm in each bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of your home.
 
4. Call for help. Teaching children how to call 911 in the event of an emergency is an important step to fire safety.
 
5. Get out and stay out. It is important to never go back for pets or personal items.
 
For more fire safety and prevention tips, please visit www.myfloridacfo.com/Division/SFM/.