- To survive a fire in your home, you must take immediate
action when a fire starts. To respond quickly in a fire
emergency, you need to know what to do.
- In the event of a fire, you have less than two minutes
to get out safely before the poisonous gases in the smoke
overcome you.
- It is important to plan now because you won’t have time
on your side to plan during a fire.
So Remember……
- Have a working smoke alarm.
- Know two ways out of every room.
- Get out fast.
- Crawl low if there is smoke.
- Don’t go back in no matter what.
- If you are trapped, close the door between you and the
fire. It will take longer for the smoke to get to you. This
will provide an extra barrier between you and the fire.
This will give you time to try to use your second escape
route to get out.
- Choose a meeting place.
- Call 9-1-1 from a neighbor’s home.
- Teach the escape plan to all family members, including
children.
- Practice, practice, practice the escape plan twice a year.
For more escape planning activities, go to:
Sparky
the Fire Dog
National
Fire Protection Association
The
Office of the Fire Commissioner
Fire
Prevention Canada
FEMA
Fire
Safety for Parents
Smoke
Alarms
Why Should I Install A Smoke Alarm?
- Smoke Alarms can detect a fire quickly.
- Fires also produce smoke and poisonous gases. Smoke inhalation
is the leading cause of death in fires. It can kill you
long before the flames reach you.
- When you are asleep, you will not be able to wake up
by smelling the smoke. Most fire-related deaths occur at
night when people are sleeping. A smoke alarm will give
you the early warning you and your family need to escape
a fire.
- Smoke alarms are the most effective low-cost early-warning
device available.
Where Should I Install A Smoke Alarm
- Install smoke alarms on each level of your home and outside
of sleeping areas.
Smoke Alarms Must Be Maintained
- Replace batteries according to the manufacturer’s recommendations
or at least once a year.
- Test your smoke alarms at least once a month.
- Clean your smoke alarms at least twice a year, using
a vacuum cleaner to remove cobwebs and dust that can degrade
the unit’s sensitivity.
- Replace smoke alarms if they are 10 years old or older.
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