Welcome to the Fire Prevention Section
do you have an escape plan?
If your smoke detector sounded and your room was filling with smoke, would you and your family know how to get out of the house?
Guidelines to getting out alive:
- Draw a floor plan of your house or apartment building. Be sure to mark all door and windows.
- Know two ways out of every room. If one is blocked by smoke or fire, you can use the second way out.
If you live in a High Rise, ask the owner or manager for a fire drill plan. - Plan an outside meeting place to where everyone can gather.
- Plan to call 911 from a neighbors home.
- Practice at night, since conditions can differ at night as apposed to daylight.
- Have a list of emergency numbers near each phone and at a neighbors\' house.
When you hear the alarm:
When you are alerted to a possible fire, GET OUT! Don't waste time checking to see if it's a false alarm. You only have a few minutes to act, so act immediately, GET OUT!
- If there is smoke, get down and crawl.
Check the door before opening. Look for smoke around the doorframe. Feel the door with the back of your hand. Open the door slowly while staying low. If there is a fire you can close it quickly.- Close doors behind you.
- If you have to stay, try to be in a room with a window and telephone. Call 911 and tell them your location in the building. DO NOT open or break windows. This could allow smoke and heat from another area to enter you room.
- Escape through a window. If you are on the first floor, crawl out the window feet first. If on the second floor, hang from the window ledge and drop down. DO NOT exit from any floors higher unless it is a last resort.
- Do not use the elevator. If you live in a high-rise, locate the stairwell and use it. A fire can disable the elevator, and you could be trapped.