Plan to get out alive!!! You need a plan of escape from your home in the event of a fire. If possible, every room should have two escape routes. Remember the Exit Drill In The Home (E.D.I.T.H.)

It is very improtant that you have an escape plan at home and know the emergency plan where you work. There is simply no time to lose. In the event of a fire, every second counts! Practice your plan regularly. 

FIRE ESCAPE PLAN AT WORK

• Know the company's emergency escape plan.
• Know your designated meeting place in the event of a fire.
• Know who your floor fire emergency officer is.
• Know the location of the nearest fire extinguisher, fire alarm station and two exits.
• Read the posted fire emergency instructions.
• Report all fire hazards.
• Know who may need assistance in the case of an emergency.
• When the fire alarm sounds, quickly call 911

FIRE ESCAPE PLAN AT HOME

The majority of deaths from fire occur in the home, with most of the fatalities taking place between 2 am and 4 am, while occupants are asleep.That is why it is critical to develop an escape plan.

Everyone needs to react quickly.The smoke is black and very thick, making it impossible to see your way. There is no time for indecision as an entire home can be engulfed within minutes. The heat of the fire is extremely intense and can kill you instantly. Most people however, are killed by smoke inhalation, not the flame of the fire. Install smoke alarms on every level. Keep smoke alarms clean and dust-free, checking them monthly.

Regarding the escape plan, always remember to:

• Replace batteries in the smoke alarms twice a year and alarms every 10 years.
• Draw a floor plan of your home showing all possible exits from each room.
• Where possible, plan two exits: a main route and an alternate route from each room.
• Windows should not be blocked and should be capable of being opened by a child.
• Escape ladders (or something comparable) should be available for rooms above the main floor.
• Since many fire deaths occur while you are sleeping, you should practice your plan at night as well, getting down on your hands and knees with a flashlight while crawling to safety.
• Heavy smoke impairs breathing, which is why staying close to the floor increases chances of escape.
• Make certain that everyone understands that if they hear the smoke alarm, or someone shouting "FIRE", they should immediately evacuate the home.
• Designate a meeting place outside your home in the event of a fire.
• Small children unable to escape should be taught to open their windows and wave an article of clothing to attract attention. Instruct them to wait at the window until someone comes and to never hide from the firefighters.
• Sleep with doors closed. If children are frightened, parents can close doors after the children fall asleep and use a room monitor to hear them during the night.
• If awakened by a smoke alarm or a fire, instruct family members to feel the door for heat and check air at the bottom. If you don't smell smoke and the air is cool, kneel and open the door slowly, turning your face away from the opening. If smoke is present or the door is hot, use another exit.
• Purchase an A-B-C fire extinguisher, whose rating is based on the fuel: ‘A' originates from a wood or paper fire, ‘B' is caused by flammable liquids and ‘C' is an electrical fire.
• Learn how to use this fire extinguisher by remembering the acronym PASS. Pull the pin, Aim the extinguisher, Squeeze or press the handle and Sweep side-to-side at the base of the fire.
• If you live in an apartment building, develop your escape plan taking into account fire escape procedures provided by building management.
• Make sure your babysitter understands your fire escape plan.

PRACTICE YOUR ESCAPE PLAN

Regular practice is essential so that every family member knows what to do and will be able to react quickly. If anyone in your home is unable to evacuate without assistance, assign someone to assist them.

Remember E. D. I. T. H. ( Exit Drill in The Home )

Practicing your fire escape plan with your children is very important. The more familiar they are with the escape plan, the more likely they are to follow it when it really counts. Be sure that everyone in your home knows not to re-enter the house after they have escaped. Call 911 using a cell phone or from a neighbour's home.