-: Sep 28, 2025 / Melaina Lewis

Fire Prevention Week 2025: “Every Second Counts – Plan Your Escape”

Each October, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) leads the nation in recognizing Fire Prevention Week, and this year it falls on October 5–11, 2025. The campaign is all about empowering families to take simple, life-saving steps at home.

At OWL Volunteer Fire Department, we’re proud to stand alongside NFPA in promoting this year’s theme: “Every Second Counts – Plan Your Escape.”


Why Fire Prevention Week Matters

Home fires can spread rapidly—sometimes in as little as two minutes. Having working smoke alarms and a practiced escape plan can make all the difference. Fire Prevention Week gives us the chance to remind our community that preparation saves lives.


Smoke Alarm Safety

  • Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas.

  • Test them once a month.

  • Replace batteries at least once a year (or sooner if they “chirp”).

  • Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.


Create & Practice a Home Escape Plan

  • Identify two exits from every room (like a door and a window).

  • Establish a safe meeting place outside your home.

  • Practice your plan with the entire family—day and night drills are best.

  • Teach children to never hide from firefighters or smoke.


Cooking Safety

Did you know cooking is the leading cause of home fires?

  • Never leave food unattended while cooking.

  • Keep flammable items (like towels and paper) away from the stove.

  • Turn pot handles inward to prevent spills.

  • Have a lid nearby to smother small pan fires.


Together, We Can Prevent Fires

We invite you to join us this October: check your smoke alarms, talk to your family about your escape plan, and share safety tips with your neighbors.

Because when every second counts—you’ll be ready.

Posted in: Community Resources