Make sure all family members know what to
do in the event of a fire. Draw a floor plan
with at least two ways of escaping every room.
Make a drawing for each floor. Dimensions do not
need to be correct. Make sure the plan shows
important details: stairs, hallways and windows
that can be used as fire escape routes.
Test windows and doors—do they open easy
enough? Are they wide enough. Or tall enough?
Choose a safe meeting place outside the house.
Practice alerting other members. It is a good
idea to keep a bell and flashlight in each bedroom
Conduct a family meeting and discuss the
following topics:
Always sleep with the bedroom doors closed.
This will keep deadly heat and smoke out of
bedrooms, giving you additional time to escape.
Find a way for everyone to sound a family alarm.
Yelling, pounding on walls, whistles, etc. Practice
yelling "FIRE!"
In a fire, time is critical. Don't waste time
getting dressed, don't search for pets or
valuables. Just get out!
Roll out of bed. Stay low. One breath of smoke
or gases may be enough to kill.
Practice evacuating the building blindfolded.
In a real fire situation, the amount of smoke
generated by a fire most likely will make it
difficult to see.
Practice staying low to the ground when escaping.
Feel all doors before opening them. If a door
is hot, get out another way.
Learn to stop, drop to the ground, roll if
clothes catch fire
Install smoke detectors
Check smoke detectors once a month and change
the batteries at least once a year. Smoke
detectors sense abnormal amounts of smoke or
invisible combustion gases in the air. They
can detect both smoldering and burning fires.
At least one smoke detector should be installed
on every level of a structure. Purchase smoke
detectors labeled by the Underwriters Laboratories
(UL) or Factory Mutual (FM).
Post emergency numbers near telephones.
Be aware that if a fire threatens your home,
you should not place the call to emergency
services from inside the home. It is better
to get out and place the call to fire authorities
from a safe location outside the home.
After a fire emergency
Give first aid where appropriate. Seriously
injured victims should be transported to
professional medical help immediately. Stay
out of the damaged building. Return only when
fire authorities say it is safe.
Make sure you have a safe fire escape method
for all situations
You may have installed a very expensive
home security system. But if you cannot
escape the burning structure you have a
false level of confidence.
Space Heaters Need Space
Keep portable and space heaters at least 3 feet
from anything that may burn. Never leave heaters
on when you leave home or go to sleep. Children
and pets should always be kept away from them.
Smokers Need To Be Extra Careful
Never smoke in bed or when you are sleepy. Carelessly
discarded cigarettes are a leading cause of fire deaths
in the United States.
Be Careful Cooking
Keep cooking areas clear of combustibles and wear
short or tight-fitting sleeves when you cook. Keep
the handles of your pots turned inward so they
do not over-hang the stove. If grease catches fire,
carefully slide a lid over the pan and smother the
flames, then turn off the burner.
Matches and Lighters are Dangerous
In the hands of a child, matches and lighters
can be deadly! Store them where kids can't
reach them, preferably in a locked area. Teach
children that matches and lighters are "tools"
and should only be used by adults.
Use Electricity Safely
If an appliance smokes or has an unusual smell,
unplug it immediately and have it repaired.
Replace frayed or cracked electrical cords and
don't overload extension cords. They should not
be run under rugs. Never tamper with the fuse box
or use the improper size fuse.
Cool a Burn
If someone gets burned, immediately place
the wound under cool water for 10 to 15 minutes.
If the burn blisters or chars, see a doctor
immediately!
Be Careful of Halogen Lights
If you have halogen lights, make sure they are
away from flammable drapes and low ceiling areas.
Never leave them on when you leave your home or office.
