Durham, NC - As part of national Fire Prevention Week, the Duke Fire Safety Division will review home fire evacuation plans and distribute free smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to employees.

Specialists with the fire safety division will review the plans at information booths during this year's campaign, "Protect Your Family From Fire," beginning Oct. 10.

"Our goal is to provide education and awareness and make people cognizant that it's fire prevention week and to think safety at home," said Jason Shepherd, fire protection specialist in Duke's Fire Safety Division.

Shepherd said Duke staff and faculty can develop the home fire plans in advance and bring them to information booths, or draw them at the booths. Fire safety specialists will review the plans for such issues as heat sources like fireplaces and gas stoves and determine whether a smoke or carbon monoxide detector is needed. Smoke alarm technology has changed and some devices now feature a battery with a 10-year life span, he said.

"Just because you have the smoke detector doesn't mean it's good from when you bought the house in 1985," Shepherd said.

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to the first 300 participants based on the home fire safety plan. Individuals who cannot make it to information booths may submit their plans from October 9 to 15 by calling (919) 684-5609.

The National Fire Protection Association provides this template for drawing the home evacuation plan.