WHAT TO DO WHEN THE ALARM SOUNDS
SMOKE ALARM ACTIVATION
Smoke alarm pattern is three long beeps repeating.
• Alert small children in the home as well as anyone else that
might have difficulty recognizing the importance of the alarm
sounding or that might have difficulty leaving the area without
help.
• Leave immediately by your escape plan. Every second counts,
so don’t waste time getting dressed or picking up valuables.
• In leaving, don’t open any inside door without first feeling its
surface. If hot, or if you see smoke seeping through cracks,
don’t open that door! Instead, use your alternate exit. If the
inside of the door is cool, place your shoulder against it, open it
slightly and be ready to slam it shut if heat and smoke rush in.
• Stay close to the floor if the air is smoky. Breathe shallowly
through a cloth, wet if possible.
• Once outside, go to your selected meeting place and make
sure everyone is there.
• Call the fire department from your neighbor’s home - not from
yours!
• Don’t return to your home until the fire officials say that it is all
right to do so.
• There are situations where a smoke alarm may not be effective
to protect against fire as stated in the NFPA Standard 72. For
instance:
a) smoking in bed
b) leaving children home alone
c) cleaning with flammable liquids, such as gasoline
• If the escape route requires you to go through smoke, crawl
low under the smoke where the air is clearer.
