Get Your Fire Escape Plan Ready

On Friday, November 9th, two college students in Rochester, NY were killed as a raging fire engulfed their home. In the last few weeks we’ve seen a number of tragic fires across the country that have claimed the lives of many and destroyed millions of dollars worth of property, serving as a vivid reminder of the importance of being prepared for such danger. But do you know what to do?

A fire can spread very quickly through your home, potentially leaving you less than 2 minutes to escape safely when your alarm sounds. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reminds us that your ability to get out depends on advanced warnings from your smoke alarm, but even more importantly, advanced planning. Knowing exactly how to get out and practicing your escape plan could be critical to staying alive. Only 23% of American households have practiced escape plans, yet over 3,000 people die in home fires each year. Many of these deaths could be prevented if people knew how to get out. Below are some important tips from the NFPA on what to do to be prepared:

• Organize everyone in your household and make a plan. This includes walking through your home and identifying all possible exits and escape routes.
• Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and every level of the home, and test them once a month.
• Choose an outside meeting point a safe distance from the home.
• Always choose the safest escape route—the one with the least smoke and heat. But be prepared to escape under the toxic smoke if necessary.
• If you can’t escape, “seal yourself in for safety” until help arrives. Use duct tape or a towel to seal the door cracks, and seal air vents to prevent smoke coming in. Open a window if possible to allow fresh air to get in.
• Once you are out stay out. Under no circumstances should you go back into a burning building. If someone is missing, firefighters are trained and equipped to perform rescues.

Check out the NFPA website for more information on how you can plan your safe escape. Also, check out these AMW Safety Center tips for how you can take measures to keep you kids away form the dangers of playing with fire.