Plan Your Home Fire Escape Route

Home fires in the United States number over 1,100 a day. How safe is your home from fire? Plan and practice an escape plan. Know two ways out of every room in your home. Make sure windows and doors open easily. Plan around your abilities. Planning and practicing with an accent on rapid and safe exit from your house is important in the event of fire. Draw a floor plan of your house showing all escape routes. An exit route out of the house without opening a bedroom door is essential. Decide on a meeting place for family members away from the house. See to it that all family members understand the alarm signal and escape plans and are able to follow them without assistance, especially small children, those with disabilities, and the elderly. Hold fire drills at least every six months. Maintain emergency equipment such as escape ladders and extinguishers as needed.