Does your family know how to escape your home in the event of a fire?
The Philadelphia Fire Department is reminding residents how vital having an escape plan is by holding a citywide fire drill Thursday night.
At 7:30 p.m., firefighters all over town will sound fire truck sirens to signal the start of the drill.
So far this year, 12 people were killed in fires and 96 people were injured. Fatalities are down 50 percent over this time last year and injuries 35 percent, according to fire department statistics.
Fire Commissioner Derrick Sawyer has made a pledge to end fire deaths during his tenure leading the department. He sees prevention education as a key part in making the pledge a reality.
Officials recommend having at least two ways to exit every room in your home and working smoke detectors on every floor. They also stress having a family meeting place outside so everyone can be accounted for after the escape.
"It could mean the difference between life and death," Sawyer said in a statement.
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Sawyer will help a Northeast Philadelphia family conduct their own fire drill at 6 p.m. ahead of the citywide event.
The Philadelphia Fire Department has printable Home Fire Safety Plans and a Fire Safety Checklist available on their website.
