Brought to you by:    Escambia County Fire Rescue

Spring into Safety

In an effort to promote safety and reduce loss of life and property, Escambia County will be presenting various safety messages this spring. Our first topic includes preventative measures for apartment and condominium fire safety.Escambia County Fire Rescue would like to remind residents that there are preventative measures that can be taken to greatly increase survival rates and decrease the potential for fires.

Apartments and Condominiums:

• Know your neighbors! In apartment buildings your safety relies heavily on the precautions and actions of your neighbors. If you know them well enough, you might know what kinds of fire hazards or behaviors they have. With this knowledge you can teach them how to be safer.
• Know your building’s emergency evacuation plans. Be certain that every member of your household understands exactly what to do in case of fire.
• Make sure the building evacuation plans are posted in high traffic areas.
• Know every exit from your building and have at least two escape routes from every room.
• Make sure your smoke/fire alarms are functioning properly. The key to survival in a fire is early detection and early notification. Determine what type of alarm system is in your building. Is it one where all the alarm are tied together? Are the alarms completely separate? Does a pull station activates the system? Is there no system at all?
• Have an escape plan. It does not matter what type of building you live in, you need to have an escape plan and practice it. Without a plan panic sets in and escape becomes even more difficult. People who practice their plan are able to escape faster and makes better choices.
• When a fire occurs remember to get out and stay out! In a fire situation conditions in a building can change rapidly. One moment there may be little to no smoke and a minute later a room could be filled with it. Evacuation should always be the first thought that comes to mind in a fire. Evacuation must take priority to make sure everyone has enough time get out. Once you are out, don’t go back into the building until the fire is out.
• Keep a fire extinguisher in your home. Having a fire extinguisher allows you the ability to put out a small fire. Remember to use PASS – Pull the pin, Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, Squeeze the trigger, and Sweep the nozzle at the base of the fire. Remember, evacuation should come first, so if you are going to fight the fire have some one alert your neighbors and the fire department.

Here are some additional links to help with fire safety:

For Kids:

Sparky the Fire Dog

U.S. Fire Administration 

The Hot Spot

Smokey the Bear

For Parents and Adults

NFPA Fact Sheets

USFA for Citizens

Sparky's Escape Planning Grid

Sparky's Home Safety Checklist