Fire Evacuation Information

Planning

• Write down or print your fire evacuation plan. Include information on how to survive getting out of the fire, what to do once you're clear, and your evacuation routes. Make a simple map of your home's floor plan and note the available evacuation routes on it. There should be an evacuation route to each outside door. If you live in a multi-story building, plan a route out of the upper windows, too. Purchase a roll-up fire ladder from your local home improvement center for use in evacuating from a second story window. Install smoke detectors and fire extinguishers on each floor of the home or office building. Contact your insurance agent since they may have additional fire prevention and protection recommendations or training.

Basic Fire Survival Skills

• If a fire breaks out and there is a fire extinguisher present, use the fire extinguisher to squelch the flames while you evacuate. If a fire breaks out or the fire detector or fire alarm goes off with no fire extinguisher present, immediately leave the area of the fire, shutting the door behind you. If the fire alarm isn't sounding yet, engage it. Evacuate the building immediately using the shortest and safest route. If you see smoke, go another way. Use the stairs, not the elevators, because fire may cause the elevators to malfunction, trapping the occupants inside.

  Feel each closed door with the back of your hand before opening it. Do not open a warm or hot door, or if you see smoke. Go another way. If the door is cool or normal temperature, proceed unless you observe danger in the path to the next door. Close each door behind you. If you have to move through smoke, crawl on your hands and knees. If the path to the door is blocked, use a window to escape.

  If you become trapped, close the doors leading to the fire and stuff cracks around the doors with cloth (i.e. rags, clothing, tablecloths) to keep out smoke. Wait by the safest window and signal or call for help. Call 9-1-1 and provide your exact location. If your clothing or body catch fire, Stop, Drop and Roll to put the fire out.

Evacuation Routes

• Post a copy of your evacuation route maps in well-trafficked areas of your home or office. Keep the area of the evacuation routes cleared and clean so they are easily passable.

Evacuation Drills

• Practice each method of evacuating the building, including escaping by a window. Make sure every one (even small children) practice getting out of the building using the roll up ladder, if your home is multi-storied. Also, review how to use a fire extinguisher with everyone.

After You've Evacuated

• Once you are safely out of the building, call 9-1-1. Proceed to your designated meeting place, i.e. the mailbox. Wait at a safe distance for fire responders to arrive and direct them to the scene. If you believe someone is missing or trapped, report it to the fire fighters. Follow the directions of the emergency personnel and do not re-enter the building until fire responders tell you it is safe to do so.