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Include all possible emergency exits.
Draw in all the doors, windows and stairways. This will show your family all possible escape routes at a glance. Include any features, such as the roof of a garage or porch, that would help in your escape.
Show two ways out of every room, if possible.
The door will be the main exit from every room. However,if the door is blocked by smoke or fire, identify an alternate escape route, which could be a window. Make sure all windows can open easily and that everyone knows how to escape through them safely.
Does anyone need help to escape?
Decide in advance who will assist the very young, older adults or people with disabilities in your household. A few minutes of planning will save valuable seconds in a real emergency.
Choose a meeting place outside.
Choose a meeting place a safe distance from your home that everyone will remember. A tree, street light or a neighbor’s home are all good choices. In case of fire, everyone will go directly to this meeting place so they can be accounted for.
Call the fire department from outside your home.
Don’t waste valuable seconds by calling the fire department from inside your home. Once you have safely escaped, call 9-1-1 from a cell phone or a neighbor’s home.
Practice your escape.
Review the plan with everyone in your household by walking through the escape routes for each room with the entire family. Check the escape routes, making sure all exits are practical and easy to use. Hold a fire drill twice a year. In a real fire, you must be able to react without hesitation as your escape routes may be quickly blocked by smoke or flames.
REMEMBER:
- Plan two ways out of every room if possible.
- Hold a fire drill twice a year.
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas.
Links to sites with more information about fire safety and escape planning:
www.FireSafety.gov
www.nfpa.org
www.wsp.wa.gov/fire/prevweek
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