Tuesday Tip: Home Fire Escape Planning

Have you created and practiced a home fire escape plan? Only one in three American households have developed and rehearsed an escape plan according to a survey conducted by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Being proactive and prepared is essential to fire safety, especially given the possibility of only having a few minutes to exit your home safely if a fire begins. To ensure your safety and that of your family members and/or friends, we recommend following the below tips.

1. Develop a fire escape plan with everyone in your household by walking through your home and inspecting all possible exits and escape routes. You should attempt to point out two exits per room. We recommend drawing a floor plan so that all exits and routes are clearly identified.
2. Install escape ladders in or near windows on the second floor of your home.
3. Choose an outdoor meeting place where everyone can meet after escaping the house. Be sure the location is a safe distance from your home.
4. Ensure everyone in your household understands the escape plan.
5. Unblock your exists and escape routes and verify windows and doors are easy to open.
6. Confirm your street number is visible from the street so that emergency personnel can quickly identify your home.
7. Make sure smoke alarms are installed on every floor of the home and inside and outside of all rooms in which individuals are sleeping.
8. Put a plan together for those who have mobility issues. You should assign two individuals (one to be used as a backup person in case the other is not home at the time of the fire) to assist those with mobility issues.
9. Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.
10. Inform visitors and guests of your fire escape plan.

Source: NFPA (http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/safety-in-the-home/escape-planning/basic-fire-escape-planning)