Be Prepared In Case Of A Fire

Be prepared in case a fire strikes your home. Start by checking your smoke alarms to ensure they'll wake you up if a fire occurs while you are asleep. Work with your family to make a fire escape plan using the simple instructions below.


To put out a fire using an extinguisher, follow these four steps (PASS):

1.Pull the pin.

2.Aim downward.

3.Squeeze the lever.

4.Sweep from side to side, aiming toward the base of the fire.

Draw a floor plan of your home on grid paper.

-Include every floor.

-Draw in all possible emergency exits (i.e., doors, windows and stairs).

-Include features like garage and porch roofs, trees and television antenna that can help you escape.

-Mark two escape routes from each room usually the door and a window.

Make sure all escape routes are practical and easy to use.

-Make sure all windows will open and that no heavy furniture blocks any escape route.

If escape ladders or ropes are to be used, make sure that they are accessible and that the appropriate individual is capable of using them.

Consider who may, need help to escape.

-Decide in advance who will assist the very young, elderly or physically challenged members of your household.

Choose a place outside where everyone will meet.

-Choose a meeting place that everyone will remember, for instance, a spot close to your neighbor's house. Everyone must know to go directly to this meeting place so they can be accounted for.

Decide where you'll go to call the fire department.

-Once everyone is at the meeting place, someone can be sent to a neighbor's house to call the fire department. Include the neighbor's name, the fire department's phone number and your street address in your fire escape plan.

Make sure everyone is familiar with the escape plan and practice it.

Go over the entire plan with everyone, including all children. Practice your escape plan every six months to ensure that everyone will react without hesitation if fire strikes.