In case of fire, are you ready?

Fire drill!

Snohomish County firefighters, as part of national Fire Prevention Week, are encouraging people to practice an escape plan in case of a fire at home.

Across the nation about eight people per day are killed in house fires, according to the National Fire Prevention Association. Only 23 percent of households have planned and practiced a home fire escape plan, said Audrey Duncan, a spokeswoman for Snohomish County Fire District 3 in Monroe.

“Sometimes there are only seconds to escape but there’s no question that having a plan in place that has been practiced saves precious time and makes survival more likely,” Duncan said.

Beginning today, firefighters will meet with students at local schools to talk about fire prevention and creating a fire escape plan.

“We do a great job at schools with fire drills. We don’t always do a good job as parents having a plan at home, and it’s more likely there’ll be a fire at home than school,” Snohomish firefighter Jason Hodkinson said.

People should know two ways out of every room, said Kim Schroeder, public education coordinator for Fire District 1 in south Snohomish County.

Fire departments and the Snohomish County Fire Prevention Association are sponsoring a contest for students during October to encourage children and their parents to develop and practice a fire drill at home.

A map of the escape plans must be drawn, including the child’s name, school, phone number and parent’s signature. The entries must be submitted to participating schools by Oct. 19. The grand prize includes a pizza party.

On Oct. 25, a dozen fire departments will be part of the Great American Fire Drill from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Families can learn more about fire safety and go over their plan with an expert. The drill will include fire departments in Monroe, Sultan, Marysville, Lake Stevens, Lynnwood, Index, Mountlake Terrace, Granite Falls and the Warm Beach, Bryant, Freeborn, Tulalip Bay, Getchell, Clearview, Maltby and Silver Firs areas.

Contact your local fire department for more information.

Fire prevention officials recommend the following tips when making an escape plan:

Draw a simple floor plan of your home.

Label two ways out of every room, especially bedrooms.

Decide on a meeting place in a safe area outside the house.

Go over the plan with every one in the family.

Check smoke alarms.

Practice the plan. Begin by pressing the “test” button on the smoke alarm and end with everyone at the meeting place.