This Fire Prevention Week, City of Warren Fire Department, in conjunction with the National Fire Protection Association, is encouraging people to have a plan in case fire strikes.

The NFPA highlights a theme each year. This year’s according to City of Warren Fire Chief Dave Krogler, the theme is, “Fire won’t wait, plan your escape.”

“It’s all about planning a fire escape for your home,” Krogler said. “Just like you have fire drills at school, you should have the same thing for your home.”

Everyone should know two ways out of every room. Once they escape the house, family members should know where to meet outside – at the street or road or at a neighbor’s house.

Photo submitted to Times Observer City of Warren Fire Department personnel practice with virtual fire extinguisher evaluation equipment.

“We always stress once you’re out, don’t go back in for any reason,” he said. It’s important that firefighters know who is inside and where they might be. “If you go back in and succumb to the smoke, nobody knows who’s inside,” Krogler said.

There is much more to know about fire prevention and Fire Prevention Week stretches throughout October and into November, Krogler said.

“We do a lot of fire extinguisher classes, trainings for businesses,” he said. “We go and put a presentation on.”

Those trainings and presentations used to involve live fire. They no longer do.

Technology allows presenters and those practicing the use of fire extinguishers to see how well they are knocking down fire on a simulated, on-screen fire.

Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton City of Warren Fire Lt. Tim Carpenter speaks to first graders at St. Joseph Catholic School during a Fire Prevention Week event on Thursday morning.

“We do a lot of station tours,” Krogler said. “Daycares and pre-schools come. We show them the equipment, talk about our work days…”

“We also go to the daycare centers and preschools if they request it,” he said. “We put all the gear on. We take a truck.”

“Over the years we’ve developed curriculum for each age group or age level,” Krogler said.

“With people firing up furnaces for the first time in months, it’s time for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to be checked, Krogler said. “There’s still an emphasis on carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide calls go up this time of year. Make sure you have a carbon monoxide detector outside your sleeping areas.”

“Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas,” he said. “It’s not going to wake you up. You need that early warning.”

Times Observer photo by Josh cotton First grade teacher Amber Bulicz helps Anthony Pellegrino try on a fireman’s helmet during Thursday’s Fire Prevention Week event.

“A lot of the detectors are good for 10 years,” he said. “A lot of them have a lithium battery built right in. We always recommend testing them once a year.”

There is an easy way to remember when to check batteries and function. “Standard time is coming up,” he said. “When you roll your clock back, check your smoke detectors and batteries.”

“It’s a good time to practice fire escape plans and a good time to test your smoke detector to start the drill,” Krogler said.

“If there’s a time of year that I’d say there’s a greater chance of fire, it’s fall and winter,” he said. “They’re turning on their furnaces and other heaters.”

“There are inappropriate ways to use them,” he said. “We’re getting into the holidays and people are using candles more.”

While the number of fires tends to go up in the fall and winter, overall, “our fires are down,” Krogler said. Some of that is due to fire prevention activities. Advancements in and enforcement of building codes and construction codes also contribute.