Snohomish County fire officials are asking residents to take a few extra minutes to make sure they’ve made plans to escape their home during an emergency.
Families should make sure every person knows two ways to leave each room. They also must have a place to gather outside in case of a fire, the same way office buildings and schools have prepared fire-escape routes.
Then, just like at work and school, families should practice with fire drills, officials said.
Many fire stations around the county will open their doors tonight and review escape plans with residents.
“It’s an opportunity for families to come and talk to their local firefighters,” Marysville Fire District spokeswoman Kristen Thorstenson said. “Also, if families don’t have smoke alarms, they can sign up to have smoke alarms installed.”
The awareness campaign comes after the Nov. 21 fire in Arlington that killed two boys and a Nov. 26 kitchen fire that killed a Lynnwood woman.
So far this year, eight Snohomish County residents have died in fires; four were under age 11.
“Our hearts go out to the families, friends, communities and emergency responders experiencing these losses,” Snohomish County Fire District 1 Deputy Chief Steve Sherman said. He’s also president of the Snohomish County Fire Prevention Association. “We’re asking citizens to get involved by spending some time this week talking with their families about fire safety and practicing a home fire escape plans.”
Working smoke alarms and have a well-rehearsed fire escape plan can help prevent tragedies, she said.
Ashley Montaño, 7, and her sister, Yareli, 4, died Sept. 30 in a Snohomish mobile home fire. The girl’s mother and aunt also died in the blaze.
A fast moving fire on Nov. 21 killed two foster children, Kyler Opstrup-Williams, 11, and 10-year-old Tyler J. Emory.
“We were all deeply touched by this loss and want to work to prevent future tragedies,” North County Fire and EMS Battalion Chief Christian Davis said.
Fire officials recommend families draw a floor plan or a map of their home that shows all doors and windows. Then mark two ways out of each room.
Pick a family meeting place outside where everyone can gather after they are out of the home, officials say, and practice fire drills at home at least twice a year.
Kitchen fires also have claimed two lives this year. In both cases, stove-top flames caught nightgowns on fire.
People shouldn’t have loose long sleeves when cooking, Snohomish County Fire District 1 spokeswoman Leslie Hynes said.
If someone’s clothing does catch fire, stop, drop to the floor and roll to smother the flames, she said.
