Plan and Practice a Fire Drill, Escape Routes

Tip of the Month from the :

Prepare for a fire emergency by sitting down with your family and agreeing on an escape plan. A well-prepared escape plan helps to avoid panic and may save your lives.

• Review and determine at least two unobstructed exits from every room in your house. Doors should be your primary exit and windows your next choice.
• Have each person practice opening doors and windows. Show children how to open door and window locks.
• Decide on a meeting place outside where everyone will meet, such as a neighbor's porch, a tree or streetlight.

Practice your fire drill and escape routes

• Have everyone lie in bed and wait for the drill.
• Begin the drill by pressing the smoke detector test button. For more realism, continue to sound the alarm until everyone is outside.
• Practice yelling "Fire!" to help alert others in the home.
• Roll out of bed and stay low to the floor.
• Each person should crawl to your primary exit of that room. If it is blocked by smoke or fire, use your other designated exit.
• Feel any closed door with the back of your hand before opening it. If it is hot, do not open it, use your other exit.
• Make sure everyone goes to the meeting place.
• Assign someone at the meeting place to be the one to go to a neighbor's home to call 911.
• Never go back into a burning building! Get out, stay out and stay alive!