This week is National Fire Prevention Week.

Firefighters from Knoxville Fire and Rescue and Knoxville Township Rural Fire are sharing strategies to stop fires before they start. Knoxville City Fire Chief Jim Mitchell says fire deaths are up this year in Iowa and encourages education and planning to prevent a tragedy. Having an escape plan and being conscious of common fire sources like candles, which Mitchell says account for many of Iowa’s fires, are steps towards keeping yourself and your family safe. Firefighters are reaching out to more than 900 students in the Knoxville school system this week to instill the values of fire safety at a young age.