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The Tyler Fire Department will host this year’s Fire Prevention Week Sunday through Oct. 12 to educate people on fire safety measures.

In partnership with the National Fire Protection Association, the campaign “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!” will teach actions to keep safe.

The fire department will put on a series of events this month, including annual emergency evacuation drills at Tyler schools, fire safety presentations and an ongoing smoke alarm installation program. The fire department will participate in story time at Tyler Public Library during prevention week, according to a department press release.

“Situational awareness is a skill people need to use wherever they go,” said Paul Findley, Tyler fire marshal. “No matter where you are, look for available exits. If the alarm system sounds, take it seriously and exit the building immediately.”

The main focus will be home fires, but the information will also apply to other fires, according to the release.

National Fire Protection Association statistics show fire departments responded to 357,000 home structure fires in 2017. Those fires caused 2,630 deaths and 10,600 injuries, the release stated.

“These numbers show that home fires continue to pose a significant threat to safety,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of Outreach and Advocacy. “In a typical home fire, you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Escape planning and practice can help you make the most of the time you have, giving everyone enough time to get out.”