Home fire escape planning and practice
Developing and practicing a home fire escape plan that everyone understands can mean the difference between life and death. Fire can grow and spread through your home very quickly. It’s important that you be prepared to react as soon as the smoke alarm sounds.
Facts & figures
- Only one-fifth to one-fourth of households (23%) have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan to ensure they could escape quickly and safely.
- Citizens who made an estimate thought they would have at least 6 minutes before a fire in their home would become life-threatening. The time available is often less. And only 8% said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out!
Source: Harris Interactive Survey, Fall 2004, conducted for NFPA
Safety tips
These tips can help you put together – and practice – an effective home fire escape plan.
- Develop and practice a home fire escape plan.
Live near an exit. Or if you live in an apartment, try to occupy a ground-floor unit. - Keep a phone next to your bed and post emergency numbers like 911.
- Know two ways out of every room in your house.
- Make sure you can unlock all doors and easily open all windows.
- If you are trapped, close the door between you and the smoke. Stuff cracks and cover vents to keep smoke out. If you have a phone in your room, call 911 and tell them exactly where you are in the house.
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