According to Safe Kids Kansas, 89 percent of all fire-related deaths to Kansas children occur in the home-and yet only one out of four families say they have developed and practiced a fire escape plan, according to Jan Stegelman, coordinator.

"Plan two ways out of every room and practice an escape plan monthly when you test your smoke alarm," she says. "Designate a safe place to meet outside in the event of a fire emergency. Teach children never to go back into a burning building, even for a pet or favorite toy. Call the fire department from a neighbor's home or a cell phone outside."

For those of us who have been made aware of Fire Prevention Week for so many years, these tips seem routine. But here's the clincher: Have you implemented them in your home? -DR