Emergency Evacuation
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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.
