October 4–10 marks Fire Prevention Week, an annual observance that encourages families and communities to take a closer look at fire safety and make sure they are prepared before an emergency happens.

Fire can spread quickly, and smoke can make it difficult to see or breathe within minutes. The U.S. Fire Administration warns that residents may have less than two minutes to escape a home fire once a smoke alarm sounds, making preparation and a practiced escape plan especially important.

Fire Prevention Week is a good opportunity to check smoke alarms, review escape routes and talk with family members about what to do if a fire starts.

Check Your Smoke Alarms

Working smoke alarms are one of the most important pieces of home fire protection. Residents should make sure alarms are properly installed and functioning throughout the home.

Families should also make sure everyone knows what the alarm sounds like and understands that when it goes off, they need to leave immediately.

Create and Practice a Fire Escape Plan

The U.S. Fire Administration recommends creating a home fire escape plan that includes two ways out of every room, when possible.

Families should identify doors and windows that can be used as exits, make sure escape routes are not blocked and select an outdoor meeting place a safe distance from the home.

Once the plan is established, practice it with everyone in the household. Children, older adults and anyone who may need additional assistance should be included in the planning.

If a fire occurs, get outside and stay outside. Do not return to a burning home.

Take a Look Around the Kitchen

Cooking is one of the areas where fire prevention deserves particular attention. Keep anything that can burn away from the stove and never leave cooking unattended.

Residents should also pay attention to electrical appliances and cords. Damaged cords, overloaded outlets and improper use of extension cords can create fire hazards.

Prepare for the Heating Season

With colder weather approaching, Fire Prevention Week is also a good time to prepare heating equipment.

The U.S. Fire Administration notes that space heaters are a leading cause of home heating fires. Portable heaters should be kept at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including furniture, bedding, curtains and other household materials.

Fireplaces and wood stoves should also be inspected and maintained before regular use. Residents should follow manufacturer instructions and local fire-safety requirements.

Don’t Forget Batteries

As homes increasingly rely on rechargeable devices, battery safety is another important part of fire prevention.

The U.S. Fire Administration recommends using the charger supplied by the manufacturer, avoiding overloaded outlets and plugging charging devices directly into an outlet rather than into extension cords or multi-plug adapters.

Talk With Children About Fire Safety

Fire Prevention Week is also an opportunity to teach children what to do in an emergency.

Children should know two ways out of their home and understand that matches, lighters and candles are not toys. Families can practice staying low when encountering smoke and reinforce the importance of getting outside and staying outside during a fire.

Make Fire Safety a Year-Round Habit

While Fire Prevention Week provides an annual reminder, fire safety should be part of everyday life. Checking alarms, keeping exits clear, practicing an escape plan and addressing potential hazards can help households be better prepared.

The U.S. Fire Administration provides free fire-prevention resources covering home fires, cooking, heating, electrical hazards, batteries, outdoor fires and other safety concerns.

This Fire Prevention Week, take a few minutes to look around your home, review your family’s escape plan and make sure everyone knows what to do if the smoke alarm sounds. A little preparation can make a critical difference when every second counts.