Make sure you know your escape plan and how to properly extinguish fires during Fire Prevention Week. This year, the State Fire Marshal has reported that 28 fire fatalities have occurred so far. In order to prepare for an unexpected fire, Wayland Fire Chief Matt Liechty has some recommendations, “Twice a year, whenever the clock changes time it’s a good thing to remind you to change your batteries in your smoke alarms. Make sure they are functioning and you test them every once in a while. Have your escape plan if you cannot get it put out. If you have to go out, make sure you have everybody out of the house and go to a neighbors house and call 911.” According to the State Fire Marshal, you have two to three minutes to escape a home after you hear a smoke alarm if a fire breaks loose. Liechty says never use water to extinguish fires, use a chemical fire extinguisher instead. Never leave kitchen appliances unattended, don’t overload electrical circuits, and dispose of flammable and combustible materials properly.