Is Your Family Ready For A Fire?

Fire is one of the most common disasters. Fire causes more deaths than any other type of disaster. But fire doesn't have to be deadly if you have early warning from a smoke detector and everyone in your family knows how to escape calmly.

Here's what you can do to prepare for such an emergency.

Make your home fire safe:

  • Smoke detectors save lives. Install a battery-powered smoke detector outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home.
  • Use the test button to check each smoke detector once a month. When necessary, replace batteries immediately. Replace batteries at least once a year.
  • Have a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Get training from the fire department on how to use it.

Plan your escape routes:

  • Determine at least two ways to escape from every room of your home.
  • If you must use an escape ladder, be sure everyone knows how to use it.
  • Select a location outside your home where everyone would meet after escaping.
  • Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.
  • Once you are out, stay out!

Escape safely:

  • If you see smoke in your first escape route, use your second way out. If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the smoke to escape.
  • If you are escaping through a closed door, feel the door before opening it. If it is hot, use your second way out.
  • If smoke, heat or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Signal for help using a bright-colored cloth at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and tell them where you are.

Have a plan:

Please be serious about the responsibility of planning for and practicing what to do in case of a fire. Be prepared by having various household members do each of the items on the checklist below. Then get together to discuss and finalize your personalized Fire Plan.

Print this page out, fill it in, and post it where the family can be reminded of your Fire Plan! (A good spot might be your fridge)

 

And remember...when a fire, earthquake, flood, hurricane, or other emergency happens in your community, you can count on your local American Red Cross chapter to be there to help you and your family. That's been the role of the Red Cross for more than 100 years.

Brochure produced in cooperation with the American Red Cross and the National Fire Protection Association..