Fire Evacuation Tips

Preparation

• Before a fire strikes your home, office or surrounding land, prepare a fire escape plan. Include diagrams of entry and exit points of all buildings, including stairwells, elevators and windows. Distribute these diagrams to everyone on the premises and consider hanging one in each room. Hold fire evacuation drills at least once every six months for businesses. Conduct drills once a month for your family if you have younger children.

  If you do not have a fireproof safe, consider purchasing one and placing important documents inside, such as birth certificates, Social Security cards, extra credit cards, cash and a list of phone and account numbers for all your creditors, especially your insurance company. Place important photos, a stash of medications, a cell phone, critical valuables and pet food and medicines in a designated place in your home. If you are told to evacuate by officials, you can know these things were taken care of in advance and have an easier time meeting the needs of yourself and family as you temporarily spend the night in a different place.

Procedures

• Law enforcement officials have absolute authority during fire evacuations. Ask for clarification if you require it, but do not argue with the methods or instructions they give you. If evacuation is possible several hours in advance of the fire, pack your designated items in your car. Disconnect any gas or propane lines to your home and move propane barbecues away from any building structures. Gather family members and pets outside the home.

  Make sure everyone is present. If you have time, designate one person to go back inside, making sure all windows are shut and doors to each room are closed. Do not lock any of the windows or doors. This will assist officials if they need to enter your home to help battle the fire or check for persons who may have taken shelter in your home during the threat and after your departure.

Immediate Danger

• Always call 9-1-1 if you can. If fire is suddenly upon your home, place of employment or land, evacuate everyone immediately through the nearest exits. Do not stop to grab anything that is not human. Do not use elevators and only run if necessary. Leave as calmly as possible. Do your best to not panic.

  Place your hand along closed doors to feel for heat that may indicate fire is nearby. Place your hand near doorknobs, not on them. If you feel any heat from either place, do not open the door. Find an alternate route, including knocking through an opposite wall to an adjoining room if you can. If smoke is in any hallways, cover your face and nose with wet cloth, such as wet t-shirts, and crawl along the floor until you reach your exit. If you are outside, lay face down in a ditch or wide hole and cover your head. Cover your entire body in mud, if possible, to help protect you from embers.