- 24 -
Emergency Evacuation
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FRONT
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BACK
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BA
TH
BEDR
OOM
KITCHEN
BACK DOOR
1 FLOOR
ST
BEDR
OOM
2 FLOOR
ND
BA
TH
BEDR
OOM
PORCH
CLOSET
BEDR
OOM
BEDR
OOM
Establish and regularly practice a plan of escape in the
event of fire. The following steps are recommended by the
National Fire Protection Association:
1. Position your detector or your interior and/or exterior
sounders so that they can be heard by all occupants.
2. Determine two means of escape from each room. One
path of escape should lead to the door that permits
normal exit from the building. The other is an
alternative route, such as through a window, should
your normal escape path be unpassable. Station an
escape ladder at such windows if there is a long drop to
the ground.
3. Sketch a floor plan of the building. Show windows,
doors, stairs, and rooftops that can be used to escape.
Indicate escape routes for each room. Keep these
routes free from obstruction and post copies of the
escape routes in every room.
4. Assure that all bedroom doors are shut while you are
asleep. This will prevent deadly smoke from entering
while you escape.
5. Try the door. If the door is hot, check your alternate
escape route. If the door is cool, open it cautiously. Be
prepared to slam the door shut if smoke or heat rushes
in.
6. When smoke is present, crawl on the ground. Do not
walk upright, since smoke rises and may overcome you.
Clearer air is near the floor.
7. Escape quickly; don’t panic.
8. Establish a common meeting place outdoors, away from
your house, where everyone can meet and then take
steps to contact the authorities and account for those
missing. Choose someone to assure that nobody
returns to the house — many die going back.
