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Emergency Evacuation
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.
