8. GOOD SAFETY HABITS
DEVELOP AND PRACTICE A PLAN OF ESCAPE
•
Make a floor plan indicating all doors and windows and at least two (2) escape
routes from each room. Second story 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 fire.
•
Determine a place outside your home where you all can meet if a fire occurs.
•
Familiarize everyone with the sound of the smoke 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.
•
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.
There are situations where a smoke alarm may not be effective to protect
against fire. For instance:
- Smoking in bed.
- Leaving children unsupervised.
- Cleaning with flammable liquids, such as gasoline.
- Fires where the victim is intimate with a flaming initiated fire; for example, when
a person's clothes catch fire while cooking.
- Fires where the smoke is prevented from reaching the detector due to a closed
door or other obstruction.
- Incendiary fires where the fire grows so rapidly that an occupant's egress is
blocked even with properly located detectors
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