Planning is the key to a fast and safe exit from a fire.
Once your smoke alarm has been activated you may have fewer than two minutes to escape. Make your plan today - don't wait until a fire occurs.
Start by drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room; especially the sleeping areas. If you live in a two-story house, you may want to invest in a fire safety ladder, available at most hardware stores.
Remember to set up a meeting place outside your home for everyone to report to after they have gotten out (a tree, basketball goal, the mailbox, etc.).
Five steps for planning a safe escape:
- Draw a floor plan of your home
- Use arrows to show two ways out of each room
- Designate a safe meeting place outside
- Designate a family member to call 911
- Review the plan with your family on a regular basis
Practice, Practice, Practice!
In a real fire you don't have time to think about what you should do. Fire drills will make the steps of a safe escape second nature. Hold practice drills at night when most fires occur, and hold surprise drills to make sure your family responds quickly.
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