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Exit Drills in the Home

Did you know that every year 1,200 children age 14 and under are killed in home fires in the United States? About 3,000 adults die as well. Your family probably won't be one of them if you practice (EDITH) Exit Drills in the Home. If there’s a fire in your home, you won't have time to think and you probably won't be able to see, either. (The smoke from the fire will make the room pitch black.) Please consider this three-step plan.

Step 1: Install Smoke Alarms

• · Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home, outside every sleeping area and inside every bedroom
• · Test your smoke alarm by following the manufacturer's suggested method at least once per month
• · Replace the battery once per year - A good time to change the battery is during the fall time change from      daylight savings time

Step 2: Develop a Family Escape Plan

• · Include the family in your preparation
• · Map out two exits from every room
• · Make sure that windows can be opened quickly
• · Purchase chain ladders for exiting from above the first floor; Keep them readily accessible, not stored away in a closet
• · Make sure exits are not blocked, that persons are not sleeping in a basement with no exits and dead bolts    have thumb-turns not keys
• · Designate a safe meeting place in front of your home to account for everyone first, before leaving to call       9-1-1

• · In a fire, crawl low on the floor with your mouth and nose covered with a cloth or towel until you can exit
• · "Stop, Drop and Roll" if your clothes catch fire while exiting; Cover your face (nose, eyes and mouth) with    hands to protect your throat and lungs
• · If you are in a room, go to the door and feel it with the back of your hand; If it is hot, use the second exit;    If you are trapped, hang a sheet from the window to indicate the need for rescue
• · Once out, stay out! Go to your designated meeting place first, then call 9-1-1
• · When the Fire Department arrives, prepare to report whether all persons and pets are out of the building

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