Plan an escape route. Drawing out a map of your home and showing multiple ways out of each room is a great way to prepare your family for escaping a fire.
Make sure everyone knows how to open all windows and doors in your home.
Agree on a place outside the house to meet and make sure everyone is accounted for.
Make sure everyone knows how to call 911. Do so after you’ve exited the house on a mobile phone or neighbor’s phone.
Make sure all of your smoke detectors are in working order. Test them once a month and replace the batteries once a year to ensure everything is working properly! If it’s been 10 years replace the whole alarm.
Make sure every family member knows what the alarm sounds like.
Make sure exits are clear with no clutter.
Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home. Most newer homes have one in every bedroom. It is also helpful if every alarm is wired together, so if one sounds off, they all do.
When escaping, close doors behind you to slow the spread of smoke.
If you are in a smoke-filled room, crawl on your hands and knees, and keep your head 1 to 2 feet above the floor.
Test doorknobs with the back of your hand. If it’s warm, try a different way.
Think about installing a sprinkler system. Sprinklers can help control the fire in your house faster than the department can arrive.
