Plan to Get Out Alive
Practicing a home fire drill can save your life



click here to download  A home escape/evacuation floor plan form that you can fill out so your family knows what 
                                to do and where to go incase there is a fire.

Basic Home Fire Escape Message:

 - Make sure to have at least on smoke detector on each level of the home and in or near each sleeping area.  
   Test detectors every month by pushing the test button and replace the batteries once a year (during daylight 
   savings time is the easiest to remember) or when the alarm chirps, warning that the battery is low.  Newer
   smoke detectors have a signal repetition pattern of three beeps followed by a one and a half second pause.

 - When entering other buildings, including other peoples homes ask what type of emergency alarm is in place.  If  
    it sounds act immediately.

 - Draw a floor plan of your home, marking all the doors and windows and the location of each smoke detector.  If 
   windows or doors have security bars make sure to equip them with quick release devices.

 - Locate two escape routes from each room. The first way out would be the door and the second way out could 
   be a window.

 - As you exit your home be sure to close all doors behind you to slow the spread of fire and smoke.

 - If your exit is blocked by smoke or fire, use your second exit to escape.  If you must escape through smoke,
   stay low and crawl under the smoke to safety.  Smoke will rise to the ceiling leaving cooler cleaner air close to
   the floor.  Crawl on your hands and knees, not your belly because heavier poisons will settle in a thin layer on
   the floor.

 - If you live in a high rise building, use the stairs and NEVER THE ELEVATOR in cse of a fire.

 - Choose a meeting place a safe distance away from your home amd mark it on the escape plan.  A good meeting 
   place would be a tree, telephone pole or a neighbors home.  In case of fire, everyone should gather a tthe
   meeting place.

 - Make sure the street numbers/address of your home is visible to the fire department as well as the ppolice
   department.

 - Memorize the emergency number of the local fire department.  Once outside, call the number immediately from a
   neighbors home phone or use a cell phone.

 - Practice your escape drill at least twice a year.

 - NEVER go back inside a burning building!