Join Clearwater Firefighters for 2012 Open House | Community Spirit

Clearwater, Florida -- Clearwater Fire & Rescue will host its 7th Annual Open House in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week 2012: "Have 2 Ways Out" on Oct. 13.

This year's campaign focuses on having more than one escape route in your home.

"It's important to have two escape routes because if the first one is blocked, you have another option," said Fire Marshal Steve Strong in a release. "It can take as little as a few minutes for a home to be taken over by smoke and flames."

Attendees will learn about escape planning through demonstrations and activities including a smoke simulation that shows the limited visibility in a fire, firefighter bailout demos, and children's stations to simulate fire suppression. We'll also have a firehouse cookout with hamburgers, hot dogs and sides.

The Open House will run from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Fire Station 48, located at 1700 N. Belcher Road in Clearwater.

Clearwater Fire & Rescue offers the following tips for escape planning:

• Make a home escape plan. Draw a map of your home showing all doors and windows. Discuss the plan with everyone in your home.

• Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily.

• Have an outside meeting place (like a tree, light pole or mailbox) a safe distance from the home where everyone should meet.

• Practice your home fire drill at night and during the day with everyone in your home, twice a year.

• Practice using different ways out.

• Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can't help them.

• Close doors behind you as you leave.