Chatham-Kent residents are being urged to have a fire safety plan in place. 

This is Fire Prevention Week, and local fire officials say having a plan in place can reduce the risk of injury or death.

This year’s theme is “Every Second Counts: Plan Two Ways Out.”

Officials say it’s vital for everyone to have a home escape plan and practice it with their family.

Emergency Services personnel will be visiting apartment complexes this week to talk about evacuation safety and how to shelter-in-place during an emergency.

Part of the conversation will also cover the dangers of smoking indoors.

“Smoking inside the home exposes everyone to second-hand smoke from which there is no risk-free level of exposure and puts them at risk of fire related injury or death,” says Public Health Nurse Laura Fay. “To reduce second-hand smoke and fire risks, landlords and tenants can adopt smoke-free policies to make their buildings a safer and healthier place to live.”

A recent report showed 89 per cent of adults in Ontario think that smoking should not be allowed in multi-unit housing.