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Following are guidelines for
developing and practicing a thorough home fire escape plan (courtesy of the
NFPA):
- Make sure to have at least one smoke alarm on
each level of the home and in or near each sleeping area. Test the alarms
every month by pushing the test button, and replace the batteries once a
year or when the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low. (Note:
Newer smoke alarms have a signal repetition pattern of three beeps,
followed by a one and a half second pause.)
- When entering other buildings, including other people's
homes, ask what type of emergency alarm system is in place. If it sounds,
act immediately.
- Draw a floor plan of your home. Mark all doors and
windows, and the location of each smoke alarm. If windows or doors have
security bars, equip them with quick-release devices.
- Locate two escape routes from each room. The first way
out would be the door, and the second way out could be a window.
- As you exit your home, close all doors behind you to
slow the spread of fire and smoke.
- If your exit is blocked by smoke or fire, use your
second exit to escape. If you must escape through smoke, stay low and
crawl under the smoke to safety. Smoke will rise to the ceiling, leaving
cooler, cleaner air close to the floor. Crawl on your hands and knees, not
belly, because heavier poisons will settle in a thin layer on the floor.
- If you live in a high-rise building, use the stairs —
never the elevator — in case of fire.
- Choose a meeting place a safe distance from your home
and mark it on the escape plan. A good meeting place would be a tree,
telephone pole, or a neighbor's home. In case of fire, everyone should
gather at the meeting place.
- Make sure the street number/address of your home is
visible to firefighters.
- Memorize the emergency number of the local fire
department. Once outside, call that number immediately from a nearby or
neighbor's phone, or use a portable or cellular phone you can grab quickly
on the way out.
- Practice your escape drill at least twice a year.
- NEVER go back inside a burning building!
Risk Watch
http://www.nfpa.org/riskwatch Fire Prevention Week
http://www.nfpa.org/Education/fpw/fpw.asp |
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Front Royal Fire Department