Make a Fire Escape Plan!

1/9/2020 (Permalink)

Fire can spread rapidly through your home, leaving you as little as one or two minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds. A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Make sure to install smoke alarms in every sleeping room, level and outside each separate sleeping area. Bring everyone in your household together and make a plan. Walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes.

Consider drawing a floor plan of your home if you have children. This will help them visually see the exits. Make sure to mark two ways out of each room, including windows and doors.

Escape planning tips:

• Check to make sure the escape routes are clear and doors and windows can be opened easily.
• Choose an outside meeting place (i.e. neighbor's house, a light post, mailbox, or stop sign) a safe distance in front of your home where everyone can meet after they've escaped. Make sure to mark the location of the meeting place on your escape plan.
• Go outside to see if your street number is clearly visible from the road. If not, paint it on the curb or install house numbers to ensure that responding emergency personnel can find your home.
• Have everyone memorize the emergency phone number of the fire department. That way any member of the household can call from a neighbor's home or a cellular phone once safely outside.
• Once you're out, stay out! Under no circumstances should you ever go back into a burning building. If someone is missing, inform the fire department dispatcher when you call. Firefighters have the skills and equipment to perform rescues.

Fires are dangerous and we want to make sure you and your family are prepared!