Reducing Home Fire Risks: Essential Tips for Safety and Prevention
Most people think a home fire won’t happen to them.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) data, the home is actually where people are at greatest risk, with 74 percent of all U.S. fire deaths occurring in Homes.
As a First Alert Pro Resideo Premier Partner, we are trying to do our part to reduce these statistics by installing monitored smoke and CO detectors for families and businesses in your neighborhood. We are also educating our community about things they can do to reduce their risk.
We wanted to share with you some important safety information that can help you with your escape plan.
Establishing a well-rehearsed home escape plan is crucial for family safety. Regular fire drills enhance the effectiveness of your emergency escape plan. Conduct fire drills with all household members, both day and night, to maximize the likelihood of a safe escape.
Don’t Jump Up Out of Bed
In the event of a fire, avoid jumping out of bed immediately to reduce exposure to intense heat.. Remember, the heat is more intense the farther from the floor. Instead, roll out of bed onto the floor.
Crawl to the Door
Once on the floor, crawl to the door to assess the situation. You should always keep your door closed while you are asleep. Check the door for heat by touching it at different levels to determine safety. If it is hot, DO NOT OPEN IT! Instead, plan to use an alternate escape route.
Try the Door
If the door is not hot to the touch, open it about one to two inches only, slowly bracing it firmly, as there may be pressure from gases on the other side that could force the door to open quickly. If the air from behind the door is warm, do not use the hallways. Pull the door shut and use an alternate escape route.
How to Crawl to Safety
If you are able to crawl to safety via the hallways, keep your head about one to two feet off the floor. Cover your nose and mouth with a cloth. Take short, shallow breaths.
Escape Ladders
Secure escape ladders at windows above the first level and instruct family members on usage. Practice using the escape ladder from a first-floor window.
Prearrange a Meeting Place
Choose a designated meeting spot for family members after escaping a fire for efficient coordination. The meeting spot needs to be a safe distance from your home and easy to reach, such as a neighbor’s driveway, fire hydrant, street sign, etc.
Material Objects Can Be Replaced
Prioritize safety over material possessions; avoid re-entering a burning home. If at all possible, pull the door closed behind you upon escaping, to hamper the spread of the fire accelerated by a draft.
This blog post was developed with information from the National Fire Protection Association, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Fire Administration, American Red Cross, and National Safety Council.
