Nevada kicks off Fire Prevention Week with poster contest

The Nevada Department of Public Safety, Nevada State Department of Education, Fire Prevention Association of Nevada, local fire departments statewide and the State Fire Marshal Division kick off the “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!” poster contest to raise awareness in children and their families about fire prevention, officials announced.

One-quarter of home fire deaths are caused by fires that start in the bedroom, and another quarter result from fires in the living room, family room or den. Nevada students in elementary (fifth and sixth grades), middle and high school are being asked to participate in a poster contest to celebrate National Fire Prevention Week Oct. 8-14.

Student posters will be judged locally and at the state level for creativity, originality and their promotion of fire preparedness and safety.

“What a great opportunity to involve students in a creative process that will create community awareness on such an important topic,” Steve Canavero, state superintendent of public instruction, said in a statement. “This is an opportunity for students to be a voice in their community and grow public safety awareness.”

Artwork must reflect the National Fire Protection Association’s 2017 National Fire Prevention Week theme “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!”

Information on this year’s theme can be found at nfpa.org/public-education/campaigns/fire-prevention-week “Seconds count during a fire,” State Fire Marshal Bart Chambers said in a statement.

“In Nevada, nearly two-thirds of home fire deaths result from fires reported at night between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. when most people are asleep,” Chambers said. “Three out of five home fire deaths happen from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Home smoke alarms can alert people to a fire before it spreads, giving everyone enough time to get out.”

Chambers urges Nevadans to help save lives in their communities by visiting the American Red Cross’s “Sound the Alarm” Campaign at redcross.org/sound-the-alarm For more information on Nevada’s Fire Prevention Week Poster contest please visit fire.nv.gov/pages/FP_Poster.