More than 4,000 Americans die each year in fires, and
approximately 20,000 are injured. Deaths resulting from failed
emergency escapes are particularly avoidable.
The United States Fire Administration (USFA) believes that
having a sound escape plan will greatly reduce fire deaths and protect you
and your family's safety if a fire occurs.
HAVE A SOUND FIRE ESCAPE PLAN
In the event of a fire, remember - time is the biggest
enemy and every second counts! Escape plans help you get out of your
home quickly. In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get completely
out of control and turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for a house
to fill with thick black smoke and become engulfed in flames. Yet, only a small number of families (25 percent) have
actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan to ensure they
could escape quickly and safely.
PLANNING
Plan your home evacuation and practice until every family
member knows what to do in advance of an emergency - it can mean the difference between
life and death.
To make sure your family is prepared - take these
precautionary steps:
Create a plan. Pull together everyone in your household
and make a home evacuation plan. The best plans
have two ways to get out of each room. If
the primary way is blocked by fire or smoke, you will need a second way out.
A secondary route might be a window onto an adjacent roof or using an
Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) approved collapsible ladder for escape from
upper story windows. Make sure that windows are
not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly and that security bars can be
properly opened.
Draw your home layout on a piece of paper, with
each designed exit listed.
Don't forget to mark the location of each smoke alarm,
and make sure everyone - including children -
knows how to identify the sound of the alarm.
Make sure family members know to leave the house
immediately if the smoke alarm sounds; do not
investigate to find out why it went off.
Designate a meeting location away from the home, but not
necessarily across the street. For example, meet under a specific tree or at
the end of the driveway or front sidewalk to make sure everyone has gotten
out safely and no one will be hurt looking for someone who is already safe.
Practice escaping by each route; practice in the dark.
The plan should include a pre-arranged meeting place for
your family.
Teach each family member that once they are out of the
house during an emergency, STAY OUT. Never go back in. Call 911 from a
neighbor's home.
Don't waste time saving property.
If someone is missing, tell the firefighters, who
are equipped to perform rescues.
PRACTICE THE PLAN
All family members also need to be educated and
PRACTICE THE PLAN after it is developed, also
about what to do if they need to escape through a burning house:
Crawl low under the smoke.
Use the top of your hand to feel top of doors, doorknobs
and the cracks between doors and doorframes to make sure fire is not on
other side. If heat and smoke come in when you open the door, slam it shut
and use an alternate route.
If you are unable to leave the building, seal doors and
vents with duct tape, towels or clothing to prevent smoke from entering the
room.
Open a window at the top and bottom so fresh air
can enter; be ready to close the window immediately if it draws smoke into
the room.
DIAL 911 and let them know you are
trapped inside. Wave a flashlight or light-colored cloth to let rescuers
know where you are located.
Finally, having working smoke alarms installed on
every level of your home dramatically increases your chances of survival.
Smoke alarm batteries need to be tested every month and changed with new
ones at least once a year. Also, consider replacing the entire smoke alarm
every ten years, or as the manufacturer guidelines recommend.
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