Each year there are millions of fires, thousands of deaths, tens of thousands of injuries, and billions of dollars lost to fire. Residential fires account for 70% to 80% of all civilian fire deaths in the United States. To reduce your risk of becoming a statistic follow the fire safety tips below:
Install and Maintain Smoke Detectors
| Install a smoke detector outside of every sleeping area.
| Install a smoke detector on every level of your home.
| Test your smoke detector monthly.
| Change the battery in your smoke detector twice a year when you change the
time on your clocks. | |
Draw an Escape Plan of Your House
| Include all doors and windows.
| Have a primary and a secondary escape route from every area.
| Select a safe meeting place outside your home and show it on your plan. | |
Practice the Plan with Your Family
| First walk through your plan.
| Practice your plan at least twice a year.
| Alternate between day and night, primary and secondary escape routes. | |
Get Out and Stay Out
| If you smell smoke, see fire, or hear your smoke detector, follow your
escape plan.
| Get low—crawl to avoid the dangers of heat and smoke.
| Feel the door with the back of your hand. If the door is hot, do not open.
Use your alternate exit, such as a window.
| Never use elevators. Use the stairs.
| Once out—stay out. | |
Go to Your Safe Meeting Place
| Gather at your designated meeting place.
| Ensure your entire family is accounted for.
| Notify the first arriving fire company that all members have been
accounted for; if not, tell them how many persons are missing, their
approximate ages, and location last seen. | |
Call for Help
| When your family is gathered at your meeting place, send one person to a
neighbor's house to call the Fire Department.
| Call 911, stay calm, give the operator your address, and relay the nature
of the call.
| Stay on the line until the operator tells you to hang up. | |