Have an escape plan and practice it with your kids, elders, all household members. If a fire starts, get out. You may have as little as 2-3 minutes before the interior environment becomes unsurvivable. Read Fire Prevention Week info from the National Fire Protection Association and download their safety tip sheets.
NFPA recommends:
- Make sure your plan meets the needs of all your family members, including those with sensory or physical disabilities.
- Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows open easily.
- Have an outside meeting place a safe distance from your home where everyone should meet.
- Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year with everyone in the household, including guests. Practice at least once during the day and at night.
Why is it so important to have an escape plan? Smoke moves fast and in modern homes, fire quickly consumes combustibles like furniture and rugs, eating up oxygen. You may have as little as two minutes to escape. You probably won’t have time to make decisions; you have to know and go.
Help on how to make your fire escape plan is available from the United States Fire Administration and the National Fire Protection Association, both leading organizations in the fire service and fire safety. There’s also a worksheet to do with your kids.
