In a typical home fire, you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds. To make sure you know how to use that time wisely, Mid-State Technical College is celebrating National Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 7–13, by offering a variety of fire and life safety presentations exploring the theme of “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere,” this year’s National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) campaign.

The presentations are open to the public and take place from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9, in rooms L133 and L134 on the Wisconsin Rapids Campus. Topics include e-cigarette hazards and safety as well as general fire and home safety practices. Participants will also have a chance to tour Mid-State’s fire training equipment, apparatus and facilities following the presentations.

NFPA statistics show that the number of U.S. home fires has been steadily declining over the past few decades. However, the death rate per 1,000 home fires that are reported to fire departments was 10 percent higher in 2016 than in 1980. The campaign’s “Look. Listen. Learn.” theme works to educate the public about basic but essential ways to quickly and safely escape a home fire, where four out of five U.S. fire deaths occur.

“People often make choices in fire situations that jeopardize their safety or even cost them their lives,” said Brandon Hageman, Fire Protection Technician instructor. “We need to do a better job of teaching people about the potentially life-saving difference escape planning and practice can make and motivating them to action.”

Hageman says this year’s “Look. Listen. Learn.” campaign highlights three steps people can take to help quickly and safely escape a fire:

• Look for places fire could start.
• Listen for the sound of the smoke alarm.
• Learn two ways out of every room.

“Situational awareness is a skill people need to use wherever they go,” said Hageman. “No matter where you are, look for available exits. If the alarm system sounds, take it seriously and exit the building immediately.”

To learn about Mid-State’s Fire Protection Technician program, visit the programs page.