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| PLAN AHEAD THINKING AHEAD: Plan ahead As with other things, the best motto is, "Be Prepared." Plan Your Exit Prepare a floor plan of your home showing at least two ways out of each room. Sleep with your bedroom door closed. In the event of fire, it helps to hold back heat and smoke. But if a door feels hot, do not open it; escape through another door or window. Easy-to-use window escape ladders are available through many catalogues and outlet stores. For instance, First Alert sells one for around $90. Agree on a fixed location out-of-doors where family members are to gather for a head count. Stay together away from the fire. Call 911 from another location. Make certain that no one goes back inside the burning building. Check corridors and stairways to make sure they are free of obstructions and combustibles. To help cut down on the need for an emergency exit in the first place, clear all unnecessary items from the attic, basement, garage, and closets. IF A FIRE SHOULD OCCUR IN YOUR HOME... 1. GET OUT OF THE HOUSE. Familiarize yourself with at least two exits from each room; for example, one window and one door. Know where the exits are; practice using them. 2. HAVE A MEETING PLACE LOCATED OUTSIDE THE HOUSE A fire is no time to be worrying about who made it out and who did not. By establishing a central meeting place outside the house, you can count heads and not have to wonder who might still be inside. 3. PHONE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT (911) FROM A NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE 4. NEVER GO BACK INSIDE FOR ANY REASON! Once you are outside, do not go back inside. The fire department will be there in a matter of minutes. Stay at the meeting place and wait for the fire department. IN A FIRE, SECONDS COUNT! For early detection of fires, install smoke detectors near your sleeping areas. If you have a multi-story house, install smoke detectors at each level in the home. Design a home fire escape plan; practice using it. Establishing EXIT DRILLS IN THE HOME (E.D.I.T.H.) will insure that everyone in the home will be familiar with the proper procedures should a fire occur. If you have sleeping areas located on the second floor, provide an escape ladder or rope. Check these carefully to make certain they are safe. Check windows that would be used in an escape to see that they open easily. Should you be caught in smoke, CRAWL! Smoke rises, so stay close to the floor where the air will be less toxic. Clothing, should it ignite, will burn rapidly. If your clothes ignite, DO NOT RUN...STOP, DROP, AND ROLL! REMEMBER, THE BEST STEP TO TAKE IS TO PREVENT FIRES FROM OCCURRING Knowing what to do should fire occur is very important. More important still is the prevention of a fire. Take the time to inspect your home for possible safety hazards, bare wires, and improperly operating heating equipment. Fire prevention is something the entire family may participate in. Encourage children to assist with checking the home for hazards. By taking the time to carefully inspect your home twice a year for possible hazards, you may prevent a major catastrophe later on. |