Facts and Figures:

• Smoke contains hot deadly gases. It will fill the room from the ceiling down.

• Smoke kills people in fires before the flames ever reach them.

• Only a small number of families (16%) have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan to ensure they could escape quickly and safely.

• In 2000, there were 3,500 home fire deaths in the US.

Safety Steps:

• Make sure smoke alarms are installed on every level of the home and that they work.  Test smoke alarms once a week by pushing the test buttons. Smoke alarms alert people to fire, families still need to develop and practice home fire escape plans so that they can get out quickly.

• Get everybody together and draw a simple floor plan of your home.

• Plan two ways out of each room. The first way out should be the door and the second way out could be another door or window.

• Make sure doors and windows can be opened easily. In a two-story building, plan your secondary escape through a window. If you plan to use an escape ladder, make sure everybody knows how to use it.

• Choose a special meeting place for all family members outside the home and mark it on the floor plan.  A meeting place should be something that always stays in the same place, such as a tree, telephone pole, or a neighbor's house.

• Have a fire drill at least twice a year. Have everybody in the home practice using their second way out as well as their primary route.

• Never use an elevator in case of a fire, if you live in an apartment.  If the fire blocks your exit, close your apartment door. Call 9-1-1, even if fire fighters are already at the building, and tell 9-1-1- where you are. Stay low by the window where fire fighters can rescue you.

• If you live in a manufactured or mobile home, follow the same steps. Keep all exits clear and install smoke alarms.

 Make and Practice Your Home Escape Plan