MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - The second week of October is Fire Prevention Week. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) announced this year's Fire Prevention Theme as "HEAR THE BEEP WHERE YOU SLEEP", promoting and trying to raise more awareness for smoke alarms and smoke detectors.

Tavis Millerov, Fire Inspector for Meridian Township, informs all residents that they should have a smoke detector in every bedroom and outside of every bedroom, in the immediate hallways.

In addition to that, there should be a smoke detector every level of the house. It is also important to make sure that all the smoke detectors at the house interconnect each other, so one can be notified when there is fire at another room.

"America's #1 cause of fires is kitchen fire, and #1 cause of fire deaths is smoking materials. Therefore be mindful when you are cooking, make sure that you are always watching it while you are cooking, and stay with the stove. As far as smoking, be mindful of ashes and cigarette butts, wet the butts down before disposing them. We never recommend smoking inside the home," said Millerov.

He also emphasized the use of fire extinguisher. "Make sure you know how to operate it before when you really need to use it."

Overall, the first thing to do when you notice a fire is get everyone in the home out of the house immediately, and call 911.