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Develop and practice a plan of escape:
• Install and maintain Fire extinguishers on every level of the home and in the
kitchen, basement and garage. Know how to use a fire extinguisher prior to an emergency.
• Current studies have shown smoke alarms may not awaken all sleeping individuals, and
that it is the responsibility of individuals in the household that are capable of assisting
others to provide assistance to those who may not be awakened by the alarm sound, or to
those who may be incapable of safely evacuating the area unassisted.
• Make a floor plan indicating all doors and windows and at least two escape routes from
each room. Second storey windows may need a rope or chain ladder.
• Have a family meeting and discuss your escape plan, showing everyone what to do in case
of a fire.
• Determine a place outside your home where you can meet if a fire occurs.
• Familiarise everyone with the sound of the alarm and train them to leave your home when
they hear it.
• Practice a fire drill at least every six months, including fire drills at night. Ensure that small
children hear the alarm and wake when it sounds. They must wake up in order to execute
the escape plan. Practice allows all occupants to test your plan before an emergency. You
may not be able to reach your children. It is important they know what to do.
What to do when the Alarm Sounds
• Alert small children in the home.
• 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 you see
smoke seeping through cracks, don’t open that door! Instead use your alternative 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 brigade on 000 from your neighbour’s home or a call box – 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.
For instance:
a) smoking in bed
b) leaving children unsupervised
c) cleaning with flammable liquids, such as gasoline
d) fires where the victim is intimate with a flaming initiated fire; for example, when a person's
clothes catch fire while cooking
e) incendiary fires where the fire grows so rapidly that an occupant's egress is blocked even
with properly located detectors
Good Safety Habits
