Hear The Beep Where You Sleep & Fire Prevention Week

This week is Fire Prevention Week, and the Lafayette Fire Department wants everyone to "Hear the beep where you sleep".

Lafayette Fire Department has teamed up with the nonprofit group, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for Fire Prevention Week now through the October 10.

Lafayette Fire Chief Robert Benoit says the slogan is true, "Every Bedroom Needs a Working Smoke Alarm!"

The way it works is that you should have a smoke detector in every bedroom, outside any area where someone sleeps and on every level of your home.

Here are some of the things you need to know about smoke alarms:

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
• Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. This way, when one sounds, they all do.
• Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or sooner if they don't respond properly.
• Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarm and understands what to do when they hear it.
• If the smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside. Go to your outside meeting place.
• Call the fire department from outside the home.

Benoit says,

"In a fire, seconds count. Half of home fire deaths result from fires reported at night between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep. Home smoke alarms can alert people to a fire before it spreads, giving everyone enough time to get out. Fire Prevention Week provides the perfect platform to educate the community on the importance of practicing fire safety measures; at home, school, and work. The week long campaign provides us, fire service professionals, an opportunity to highlight the significance of preventing fires, injuries, and loss of life through public engagement."

NFPA officials says having working smoke alarm cuts your chance of dying in a fire in half.

Lafayette Fire Department officials have many events scheduled for this week:

• Fire safety classes to kids in grades K-1st at the Central Fire Station, 300 East Vermilion Street. Classes are at 8:30 and 10:30 beginning October 5, 2015 thru October 16, 2015. Approximately 4,500 kids will learn about the importance of fire safety, fire drills, smoke detectors and more. All classes and tours are reserved in advanced.
• During the weeks of October 19-30, 2015 our fire safety house accompanied with a fire truck will visit local schools.
• Co-sponsoring a coloring poster and essay contest with Zonta Club of Lafayette. An award ceremony will be held on Sunday, October 11th at 1:00 pm, Robicheaux Center, 1919 Eraste Landry Road. Winners will receive awards, pizza, and a ride on the fire truck.

More information on the Lafayette Fire Prevention Week activities, you can call the Lafayette Fire Department at 337-291-8704.