How to Escape a House Fire

7/24/2022 (Permalink)

*Have an escape plan and practice it.  Make sure everyone in your household knows what to do in case of a fire.  Your plan should identify all available exits from each room and routes that lead from the room to a safe, open air space.  Designate a meeting place away from your house, such as a neighbors yard.  Practice your plan every few months, including at night, which is when fires are most deadly since it's more difficult to find a safe exit.

*Stay low and crawl to an exit to avoid smoke inhalation

*Feel doorknobs to see if they're hot.  Never open a door if the doorknob feels hot.  That means there's most likely a fire behind it, and opening the door will put you in danger and fuel the fire with oxygen

*Don't hide.  Even if you are scared, it's important to never hide under a bed, in a closet, or anywhere else that would make it hard for emergency responders to find you.  Try not to panic, and do your best to remain calm and make your way to the nearest way out of your house.