Plan To Escape A Fire

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, an entity of the Dept. of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency:

• An estimated 374,900 residential building fires are reported to U.S. fire departments each year. These fires include an estimated 2,630 deaths, 13,075 injuries, and $7.6 billion in property loss.
• More than 3,500 Americans die each year in fires, and approximately 18,300 are injured.
• Adults over age 50 are most frequently the fatalities in such fires, followed by children ages 0 to 9. 
• Fifty-one percent of fatalities in residential buildings occur between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. This period also accounts for 49 percent of fatal fires.  
• In less than 30 seconds, a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire.

The USFA says a sound escape plan can protect you and your family's safety if a fire occurs and recommends the following tips:

• Practice monthly escape plans that include two exits from each room.

• Practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark.

• Ensure that windows and doors with security bars have quick release devices and can be opened fast in an emergency.

• At the first sign of fire, take the safest exit route. Crawl beneath smoke and cover your mouth to avoid toxic gases that can disorient or overcome you.

• Use the back of your hand to feel the top of a door, the doorknob and crack between the door and door frame. If it feels hot, use your secondary escape route. Even if the door feels cool, open it slowly and if heat and smoke come in, slam the door so it's securely closed, then use your alternate escape route.

• Designate a meeting place outside away from the home and make sure everyone got out safely.

• Designate one person to go to a neighbor's home to call 911.

• Never return to a burning building.

• Teach children not to hide from firefighters.

• Install working smoke alarms on every level of your home. Test smoke alarm batteries every month, change batteries at least once a year. Consider replacing the entire smoke alarm every 10 years or as the manufacturer's guidelines recommend.