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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- This week is fire prevention week throughout the country.

Fire departments across the country, including Ottumwa’s, are reminding residents to always have an emergency evacuation plan in the event of a fire.

“The topic this year or main emphasis is to plan two ways to get out alive. Which, at your house and school, are very helpful. If you house catches on fire, you know if you are in your bedroom you can’t get out through the hallway if it is on fire. So you need a plan; and what we promote is people practicing this at home, especially with your kids,” said Assistant Chief Mike Craff of the Ottumwa Fire Department.

Craff says his department has been going around to several schools throughout the community to educate kids on this topic.

One big area that the department is also focusing on is having residents check their smoke alarms. Craff says that you need to check the batteries often because they do save lives.