Fire Prevention Week begins Oct. 5 and Hicksville firefighters want to remind residents of the importance of home exit drills and smoke detectors.

National statistics show 60 percent of people claim to have an escape plan, but only 42 percent have practiced it. A National Fire Protection Association analysis finds that early detection, in the form of a smoke detector - and an escape plan have drastically cut home fire deaths.

An escape plan is simple. In addition to knowing the normal way out of every room, having an alternate route out is essential in case the main route is blocked by heat or smoke. A family meeting place outside should be determined.

Being alerted of a fire is the first step to a safe exit. Is your smoke detector working? Do you test it on a regular basis. Change the battery at least twice a year? A good reminder is to change the batteries in smoke detectors at the same time we change our clocks.

A recent study has raised concern in the fire safety community. The survey found that some children do not wake up to the sound of a smoke detector. It's important to conduct your own test when the household is sleeping to know who will and will not respond when the smoke detector sounds. Smoke detectors are still our main line of defense to alert us, but by knowing who in your family will not wake up to the sound of one will enable you to have an alternative method such as an intercom in their room. Your voice may do the job. Another option is to keep a whistle handy and use it to wake up sleeping family members.

Firefighters urge all residents to run their own tests to ensure that, in the event of a fire, everyone wakes up and exits the home safely. Another important point to remember is to not waste valuable escape time on the phone calling for help. Use your escape plan. Get out first and stay out. Make your call to the fire department from outside or from a neighbor's phone. Remember, fire doubles in size every 30 seconds so you have only two to three minutes to escape unharmed.

For more information or questions about your escape plan, contact the fire prevention group at the Hicksville Fire Department.