Only You Can Prevent Fire Tragedy
Fires can be fast, furious and fatal. Nearly 40,000 people are injured in fires each year, and they remain a leading cause of unintentional injury-related death among children in the United States.
Adopt these time-tested ways to prepare your family in the event of fire and prevent fire-related injury or death.
Planning and practicing a fire escape route with your family at least every six months, and talking to your children about what to expect in a fire, are simple steps anyone can take. A prepared child is more likely to escape unharmed.
Early warning is a key element of your fire escape plan. Simply installing smoke alarms on every level of your home and in every sleeping area reduces by half your risk of dying in a home fire. Test smoke alarms once a month, replace batteries at least once a year and replace smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old.
To get started with your safety plan, practice and follow these simple steps:
- Draw a floor plan with at least two ways of escaping every room on each floor. Make sure the plan shows important details: stairs, hallways and windows that can be used as fire escape routes.
- Practice escape routes during frequent fire drills (both day and evening) with the entire family.
- Identify and remedy anything in your home that could interfere with your ability to get out quickly in an emergency (windows that are stuck, furniture blocking exit).
- Purchase fire extinguishers and window ladders. Test windows and doors, making sure they open easily and are big enough to escape through.
- Choose a safe meeting place outside the house where everyone can be accounted for. Assign someone to call 911.
- Practice alerting other family members, especially those with special needs and those who may be heavy sleepers. Assign a buddy system.
Your life and the lives of your family members can be saved by foresight, planning, discussion and rehearsal.
