Look, listen and learn: EPFD provides fire safety tips during Fire Prevention Week

 The El Paso Fire Department is encouraging people to learn and practice Fire Safety during their annual Fire Prevention Week. According to Wyatt Jerome Schmidt, who is a Fire Suppression Technician with the El Paso Fire Department, there are three things people need to know in the case of a fire. Look, Listen and Learn. Wyatt told ABC 7 that you need to look around your house for fire hazards. Make sure outlets are clear, and if you use a space heater keep three feet of space between the heater and any item. This could mean blankets, curtains or anything that can catch on fire.

Wyatt said, “You’re looking for any potential hazards, number one especially this time of year when people start turning on their heaters, If they’re using any space heaters, the space heaters are kept at least 3 feet from anything combustible.”

People also need to listen for the smoke detector and learn what to do when there is a fire.

Wyatt said “Drop to the floor, and get to a door.” When you get to a door, always feel for heat with the back of your hand, turn on a light, so that when you open the door, you can see if there is any smoke. He said to always crawl towards an exit.

Wyatt also said you need to know two ways to get out of every room, and always have an escape plan. He recommends posting escape routes in every room of the house, and then designating a place where everyone in the house is to meet, in the case of a fire.

If you feel heat on the door, do not open it. Find another way to get out of the house.

Wyatt told ABC 7 to keep the bedroom door closed when you sleep. This can prevent dangerous smoke, that reaches 600 degrees, from entering your room. If you are crawling away from smoke and the fire, close doors behind you. That simple move, according to Wyatt, can buy you about 15 to 20 extra minutes to escape the house.

Wyatt said that once you are out of the house, never go back inside. Wait for the fire department, and tell firefighters which rooms people are in. Wyatt said,” We have the equipment we have the protection, we most definitely have the extinguishing agents we need to rescue that person or evacuate them.”

Wyatt also told ABC 7 that if the lights are on in the house, it helps firefighters know which rooms to check for people.

Even though this is fire prevention week, the EPFD encourages the public to remember their fire safety tips and practice fire safety measures throughout the year.

To learn more about fire safety, visit the EPFD’s website at www.elpasotexas.gov/fire-department/divisions/fire-prevention