OLIVET, Mich. (WLNS)-- Just last year, 115 people died in home fires in Michigan. And with a few weeks left in the year, firefighters expect deaths to be higher than that number in 2018.
Officials in Olivet say they're having an issue with people going back into fires trying to save other people, items or even pets. And that puts everyone, including firefighters, at risk.
Lieutenant Michael McLeieer says part of your home fire escape plan should include deciding who will pick up those important people and items on the way out of the home in the event of an emergency. That includes animals, but even if you do forget to grab your pet on the way out, McLeieer says it's still best to get out and stay out, and to let professional firefighters find the pets.
"Pets are low to the ground," McLeieer says. "They normally will find their own way out, but we want to make sure we've identified who's going to grab those most essential items and make sure that we're getting out quickly and safely."
You can find more fire safety tips on website under the Safety For You section.
