The Special Events Team and Freddie the Fire Truck kick off Fire Prevention Week on Oct. 5, 2012, at the Bicentennial Mall in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo submitted)

The Murfreesboro Fire and Rescue Department is reminding residents that it is very important to create and discuss in detail an escape plan with your family that can be implemented in any emergency.

Officials are reminding Murfreesboro residents as part of Fire Prevention Week, which this year is focused on making sure people have two ways out in case of an emergency.

The National Fire Protection Agency has the following tips for creating your home escape plan:

Everyone in your home should get together and find all doors and windows that lead outside. Make sure they open easily. Windows or doors with security bars, grilles, or window guards should have emergency release devices so they can be used for escape.

Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. One way out will be the door, the second may be a window or other door.

Choose a meeting place that is a safe distance from the front of the home where everyone should meet once they have escaped.

Make sure your house number can be seen easily from the street both day and night.

Have a plan for anyone in the home who may need assistance to escape, such as young children, older adults, or children and adults with disabilities.

Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.
               
The agency also suggests practicing your home fire drill and escape plan during the day and at night with everyone in your home at least twice a year.

For more information on making an escape plan for your family, please visit www.nfpa.org/EDITH.

Officials with the Fire Department would also like to remind citizens that it is crucial to have working smoke alarms in your home.

Smoke alarms should be tested regularly to make sure they are in proper working order. Batteries should be changed at least twice a year. It is easiest to remember to replace the batteries in your smoke alarm when the time changes in the fall and in the spring of each year. This year the time will change on Sunday, Nov. 4.