What To Do If A Fire Starts

PROTECT YOUR FAMILY:

If a Fire Starts

• Know how to use a fire extinguisher.
• Remember to GET OUT, STAY OUT, and CALL 9-1-1
• Yell "Fire!" several times and go outside right away. If you live in a building with elevators, use the stairs. Leave all your things where they are and save yourself.
• If closed doors or handles are warm or smoke blocks your primary escape route, use your second way out. Never open doors that are warm to the touch.
• If you must escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your exit. Close doors behind you.
• If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with doors closed. Place a wet towel under the door and call the fire department or 9-1-1. Open a window and wave a brightly colored cloth or flashlight to signal for help.
• Once you are outside, go to your meeting place and then send one person to call the fire department. If you cannot get to your meeting place, follow your family emergency communication plan.
• Smoke alarms double the chance of your family surviving a fire, so it goes without saying that you should have several.
• Don’t neglect to test them and change the batteries regularly.
• You should test them once a month and change the batteries every 6 months (if your smoke alarms use replaceable batteries) regardless of whether they seem to need it, just to be on the safe side (some alarms are 10-year tamper-resistant and don’t have replaceable batteries).
• You know the drill — make it a habit to change batteries twice a year when you turn your clocks.

Keep Your Home Safe While Keeping It Warm

• Heating equipment, like space heaters, are involved in 1 of every 6 home fires. Furthermore, 1 in every 5 home fire deaths and half of all fires caused by home heating occur between December and February.
• Make sure to always keep anything that gives off heat at least 3 feet away from flammable materials or items.
• Never plug more than one heating appliance into an outlet.
• Keep portable gas generators outside and away from windows to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
• If you have a fireplace, make sure your chimney is checked and cleaned by a professional once a year. Use a metal or glass screen that is large enough to prevent escaping embers.
• Never leave fires (or candles) burning, or heating appliances plugged in, while asleep, in another room, or when you leave your home.
• If you smoke, make sure everything is safely out before leaving the area and never smoke in bed.

Faqs:

1. Should we really have an escape plan?
   Yes, most definitely, and make sure to have a meeting place and to practice the plan at least 2 times a year.
2. How often should you check the escape route?
   You should make sure the path is clear every 6 months.
3. Where should the meeting place be for my family during a fire?
   It should be a safe distance from the house in front of the house so that firefighters can see you

Here are some recent posts on home and office fire safety tips:

Home Fire Safety and Prevention

Fire Detection Systems

Business Fire Alarm Safety Tips

We have more than 50 years of combined experience, ensuring the best service. Contact us for a free quote and to learn about our Fire Prevention Systems. Call 860 496-7041.