Dawson County Emergency Services will conduct a countywide home fire escape drill at 10 tonight.
“Most fatal fires occur in the home,” said Dawson County Emergency Services Deputy Chief Tim Satterfield. “Having working smoke alarms as well as planning and practicing home fire escape drills can reduce your risk of injury or death.”
Each year more than 4,000 Americans die in fires and approximately 20,000 are injured.
Earlier this week, step-by-step instructions for the drill were sent home with all students attending Dawson County public elementary schools. Satterfield said the drill was timed with children in mind.
“The time was selected to see how your kids will respond to the sound of a smoke alarm if sleeping,” he said.
To participate in tonight’s fire drill, Dawson County Emergency Services recommends the following:
In addition to tonight’s fire drill, Dawson County Emergency Services and the Community Emergency Response Team will be knocking on doors across Dawson County to offer and install free smoke detectors and batteries, said emergency services spokesperson Cathy Brooks. The door-to-door effort begins Tuesday.
The schedule for the free detectors: Tuesday from 9 a.m.–noon; Wednesday from 1–4 p.m., and Thursday from 9 a.m.–noon. Those who wish to make an appointment to receive a smoke detector can call Dawson County Emergency Services at 706-344-3666.
“Most fatal fires occur in the home,” said Dawson County Emergency Services Deputy Chief Tim Satterfield. “Having working smoke alarms as well as planning and practicing home fire escape drills can reduce your risk of injury or death.”
Each year more than 4,000 Americans die in fires and approximately 20,000 are injured.
Earlier this week, step-by-step instructions for the drill were sent home with all students attending Dawson County public elementary schools. Satterfield said the drill was timed with children in mind.
“The time was selected to see how your kids will respond to the sound of a smoke alarm if sleeping,” he said.
To participate in tonight’s fire drill, Dawson County Emergency Services recommends the following:
- Draw out your escape plan. Know where to meet outside.
- Go over your plan with your family.
- Keep the way out clear.
- Put your plan where everyone can see it.
- Push the smoke alarm button to start the fire drill.
- Get out fast.
- Practice getting out when people are both awake and asleep.
- Go to your meeting place.
- In a real fire, call 911 from outside.
In addition to tonight’s fire drill, Dawson County Emergency Services and the Community Emergency Response Team will be knocking on doors across Dawson County to offer and install free smoke detectors and batteries, said emergency services spokesperson Cathy Brooks. The door-to-door effort begins Tuesday.
The schedule for the free detectors: Tuesday from 9 a.m.–noon; Wednesday from 1–4 p.m., and Thursday from 9 a.m.–noon. Those who wish to make an appointment to receive a smoke detector can call Dawson County Emergency Services at 706-344-3666.