Escape Planning and Practice - Home Fire Safety

In a typical home fire, residents only have a few minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds. Escape planning and practice can help them make the most of the time they have, giving everyone enough time to get out. There are many ways to get your family involved in creating an escape plan.

• Everyone should always have two ways out of every room.
• Designate one family member to be in charge of pets so the rest can focus on evacuating.
• Does everyone know where your safe meeting spot is outside the home? It is important to designate a spot at least a few houses down on the same side of the street.
• Select a neighbors’ tree or a corner light post, something easily remembered, and practice meeting there during a mock fire drill.

October 4 happens to be the start of Fire Prevention Week. What a perfect time to conduct the aforementioned mock fire drill and check to make sure all fire extinguishers are in good working condition! For more resources for children visit http://www.sparky.org/, or visit the National Fire Protection Association for printable fire escape plans and more safety tips and tools.