Fire officials: make a plan

Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 7 through 13, and the National Fire Protection Association encourages citizens to "practice your escape plan."

In 2006, 80 percent of all fire deaths were caused by home fires. Last year, about 2,600 people were killed by home fires and 12,500 injured, according to NFPA reports.

"It is not enough just to have a home fire escape plan in place- it is vital that everyone living in the home practice the plan," said Judy Comoletti, a vice president of public education for NFPA.

NFPA offers the following tips for home fire escape planning.

•Install and maintain working smoke alarms on every level, inside and outside of each bedroom.

•Develop a fire escape plan that identifies two ways out of each room. Practice the plan.

•Some children and adults may may need help waking up.

•If the smoke alarm sounds, go to the closest exit. If there is smoke on the way out, turn and use the second way out.

•If going through smoke is necessary, get low and go under the smoke to the exit.

•Don't take time to pick up belongings- just get out and help others out.

For more information, visit www.firepreventionweek.org.