Fire Safety Week

Back in July I wrote about fire safety and having an established and well-practiced plan for your home. Did you make one? Have you practiced it lately? Even in a home with no children, an escape plan should be planned AND practiced.

Practice your plan as if you’re half-asleep and stumbling from bed as the smoke detectors are wailing. Can you get out in seconds? Mere seconds will determine if you make it out safely or become part of a tragedy.

And just in time as this week is the National Fire Protection Association’s Fire Prevention Week. Your younger children will be coming home from school this week with tales of visiting firemen, fire trucks, and fire escape plans!

The theme this year is “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!”

•Draw out each room and mark each window and every door. Encourage your children to tour the house taking notes along the way. Always have TWO WAYS OUT!

•Practice your home fire drill often. Conduct one at night and one during the day with everyone in your home, and practice using different ways out.

•Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.

•Make sure the number of your home is clearly marked and easy for the fire department to find.

•Close doors behind you as you leave—this may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire.

•Once you get outside, stay outside. Never go back inside a burning building.

Most homeowners don’t realize that once a smoke detector sounds from a fire in the home, they may have as little as two minutes (or less) to get out. Having a well-practiced plan…one that can be performed even while half-asleep is what saves lives!

A few things to know and practice are:

•Crawling low to the floor to avoid toxic smoke.

•Closing doors on your way out to help slow the spread of fire, giving more time to safely escape. If a closed door is hot, do NOT open it.

•Stop, Drop, & Roll if clothes catch on fire.

•How to call 9-1-1 to get help

If the fire prevents you from escaping, here are some tips…

•Use duct tape or towels to seal the door cracks and cover air vents to help keep smoke from coming in.

•If possible, open your windows at the top and bottoms so fresh air can get in.

•Call for help, or if you don’t have a phone try using a whistle to alert neighbors.

•Wave a flashlight or light-colored cloth at the window to let the fire department know where you are located.

Stay safe Jasper!