House Fire Evacuation Rules

Planning

• Everyone should know what the fire alarm sounds like. Knowing this sound and hearing it means you hit the floor and crawl to your exit. This should be second nature, so that even if you and your family members are awakened from a deep sleep, everyone literally rolls out of bed to the floor and crawls out to the designated exit.

  Prepare a plan that provides for two different exits in the event of fire. Having two exits will help ensure a way out, if the first way is blocked.

  Designate a meeting place outside of the house where everyone would go in the event of an emergency. This is not only for fires but for evacuation in any type of emergency.

Equipment

• Ensure that any needed devices are in place to carry out the evacuation plan. Each bedroom should have a working flashlight in each nightstand. Each floor above the first must have at least one escape emergency ladder available at a window that can be easily put out the window for an exit.

  Each floor must have at least one fire extinguisher, and all family members who are old enough to use a fire extinguisher should be trained how to use it and when to use it. Make sure your family members know where the extinguishers are located.

Practice

• An emergency plan is not effective if you have to pull out a checklist in order to carry out that plan. It is important that everyone in your home practice, practice and practice again. You must practice this plan with your family. Not just once, but several times---until everyone gets it right. After that, practice it a couple of times a year. Make it fun for younger children, and they will remind you to practice it. It works!