Points To Consider When Planning An Emergency Evacuation
Devise and practice an escape plan with the members of your household.
Practice this escape plan from every room in the house, especially from the bedroom.
Know where all viable emergency exits, including windows, are in your residence. A "viable" exit is one that allows access to the ground or deck with not more than a 5 foot drop.
Plan what alternate exit you will use if your primary exit is blocked.
For bedrooms that do not have a viable exit, purchase and install an emergency escape ladder, and place it under the window to be used.
Establish a family meeting point away from the house. All family members should meet there as soon as they are out of the building. A possible meeting place may be a neighbor's house away from your house.
PRACTICE YOUR EMERGENCY ESCAPE PLAN OFTEN!
If you wake up and smell smoke, get on the floor immediately and crawl to the nearest fire exit or window.
If you see smoke while you're escaping, try another way out. If you can't avoid the smoke, crawl on your hands and knees with your head 1 to 2 feet (30 to 60 centimeters) above the floor.
If there is smoke in your home, NEVER open the door until you have checked it for heat. If there's fire on the other side, the cracks around the door will be warm.
Kneel down and reach up as high as you can and touch the door at the knob and around the frame - with the back of your hand. If the door is cool, brace your shoulder against it and open it with caution.
If the door is warm or hot, DO NOT OPEN IT. Use your alternate escape route.
Don't Stop for ANYTHING. Don't try to rescue possessions or pets. Leave the building and go directly to your outside meeting place. Call the fire department from a neighbor's phone, portable phone, or an alarm box.
Parents, remember that children will often try to hide from the fire.
BE SURE TO CHECK ALL CLOSETS and UNDER BEDS
FOR CHILDREN DURING A FIRE EMERGENCY!!
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