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PRESS RELEASE: 10/14/05
Released By: Lori Wirth
Public Information Officer
Madison Fire Department
(608) 266-5947
OCTOBER PREP: Home Evacuation
MADISON – The best rule of thumb for home evacuation? When in doubt: get
out!
Time and again firefighters and rescue crews see injuries that could have been
prevented or less serious if building occupants had evacuated sooner from a
fire, gas leak, or other home emergency.
On September 26, the City of Madison Fire Department, the UW Hospital Emergency
Medical services Program, and the Badger Chapter of the Red Cross announced
the start of a 12-month campaign to help Madison households prepare themselves
to deal with emergencies or disasters.
PREP—People Responding to Emergencies Program—is
focusing on a new topic every month, as part of a year-long effort to increase
awareness and preparedness throughout Madison. For October, the topic is PREP
for Home Evacuation Emergencies
PREP has identified the most common incidents that require immediate
home evacuation. They are fire, carbon monoxide, gas leaks, and household chemical
spills.
Madisonians who remember the gas explosion on Division St. in April 2004, will
recall that home evacuation was made necessary by a combination of additional
potential for gas leaks, fire, and structural instability following the explosion.
As the winter heating season begins, carbon monoxide poses additional threats.
"The best way to reduce the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning in your
home is to have the furnace and water checked by a qualified contractor and
install a carbon monoxide detector," said Steve Kraus, MGE Manager, Media
Relations.
Gas leak calls are a top priority at MGE. If you smell the strong
and persistent odor of natural gas, don't touch a light switch or use the phone.
Instead, leave immediately and call MGE at 252-7111 from a neighbor's house."
The PREP website provides additional information for detecting home hazards
and conducting a safe evacuation. Visit the site at: prep@medicine.wisc.edu
In November, the topic for the month will be PREP for Neighborhood
and Community Evacuations.
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