Tip for March

Home Fire Escape Planning and Practice

Everyone, including preschoolers, can be taught the basics of home fire escape. Developing and practicing a home fire escape plan is the key to survival should a fire occur in the home.

Facts & Figures

·        According to NFPA's 1997 Home Fire Escape Survey, only a small number of families (16%) have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan to ensure they could escape quickly and safely.

·        In 2000, there were 3,420 home fire deaths in the U.S.*

*(From NFPA's Fire Loss in the United States, September 2001)

Safety Tips:

·        A home fire escape plan should include: working smoke alarms on every level of the home and outside all sleeping areas; two ways out of each room; unobstructed and easy-to-use exits; a meeting place outside; a posted emergency phone number for the fire department; and practicing the plan at least twice a year with every member of the household.

·        If there are infants or family members with mobility limitations, someone in the household should plan to assist them.

·        Make sure that doors needed for escape can be opened easily and that windows are not nailed or painted shut.

·        React to the sound of a smoke alarm immediately and make getting out your top priority.

·        Never go back inside the home for any reason.

For more information regarding Home Fire Escape Planning, you can go to www.nfpa.org.

A Fire Prevention Message from your Atascocita Volunteer Fire Department.

Resources: All information detailed in this article was obtained referencing the NFPA website.