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Develop and
practice an escape plan. Make sure all family members know
what to do in a fire.
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Draw a floor
plan with at least two ways of escaping every room. Choose
a safe meeting place outside the house.
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Practice
alerting other household members. It is a good idea to
keep a bell and a flashlight in each bedroom for this
purpose.
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Practice
evacuating the building blindfolded. In a real fire
situation, the amount of smoke generated by a fire will
most likely make it impossible to see.
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Practice
staying low to the ground when escaping.
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Feel all doors
before opening them. If the door is hot, get out another
way.
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Learn to stop,
drop to the ground, and roll if clothes catch fire.
Post emergency
numbers near telephones.
However, be aware that if a fire threatens your home, you
should not place the call to your emergency services from
inside the home. It is better to get out first and place the
call from somewhere else.
Purchase
collapsible ladders at hardware stores and practice using
them.
Install A-B-C type
fire extinguishers in the home and teach family members how to
use them.
Do not store
combustible materials in closed areas or near a heat source.
Cooking
Keep the stove area clean and clear of combustibles such as
bags, boxes, and other appliances. If a fire starts, put a lid
over the burning pan or use a fire extinguisher. Be careful.
Moving the pan can cause the fire to spread. Never pour water
on grease fires.
Check electrical
wiring.
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Replace wiring
if frayed or cracked.
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Make sure
wiring is not under rugs, over nails, or in high traffic
areas. Do not overload outlets or extension cords.
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Outlets should
have cover plates and no exposed wiring.
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Only purchase
appliances and electrical devices that have a label
indicating that they have been inspected by a testing
laboratory such as Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) or
Factory Mutual (FM).
Contact your local
fire department or American
Red Cross chapter for more information on fire safety.
DURING
A FIRE
Get out as quickly
and as safely as possible.
Use the stairs to
escape.
When evacuating,
stay low to the ground.
If possible, cover mouth with a cloth to avoid inhaling smoke
and gases.
Close doors in
each room after escaping to delay the spread of the fire.
If in a room with
a closed door.
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If smoke is
pouring in around the bottom of the door or it feels hot,
keep the door closed.
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Open a window
to escape or for fresh air while awaiting rescue.
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If there is no
smoke at the bottom or top and the door is not hot, then
open the door slowly.
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If there is
too much smoke or fire in the hall, slam the door shut.
Call the fire
department from a location outside the house.
AFTER
A FIRE
Give first aid
where appropriate.
Seriously injured or burned victims should be transported to
professional medical help immediately.
Stay out of damage
buildings.
Return home only when local fire authorities say it is safe.
Look for
structural damage.
Discard food that
has been exposed to heat, smoke, or soot.
Contact insurance
agent.
Don't discard damaged goods until after an inventory has been
taken. Save receipts for money relating to fire loss.
Heating Devices
Heating devices such as portable heaters, wood stoves, and
fireplaces demand safe operation. Use portable heaters in
well-ventilated rooms only. Refuel kerosene heaters outdoors
only. Have chimneys and wood stoves cleaned annually. Buy only
approved heaters and follow the manufacturers' directions.
Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors more than double the chance of surviving a
fire. 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. Test the
smoke detectors each month and replace the batteries at least
once a year. Purchase smoke detectors labeled by the
Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM).
The U.S.
Fire Administration has more information on fire safety
and firefighting.
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