Fire Escape Planning

When a member of your community is killed in a home fire, it is important to let others know how they can prevent a similar tragedy. As you continue to report on the fire, the U.S. Fire Administration encourages you to remind your audience that many fire deaths and injuries are preventable.

More than 4,000 Americans die each year in fires and more than 20,000 are injured. Many of them might be alive today if they had only had the information they needed to avoid a disaster. The following life-saving tips could make a big difference to your audience. By incorporating them in your story now, while the moment is still fresh, you could help save a life.

Did you know?

Eighty-two percent of all fire deaths occur in the home.
Senior citizens, age 65 and older, and children under the age of five are at the greatest risk of death from fire.
Deaths due to an inability to escape are particularly preventable.
Having a working smoke alarm reduces one's chance of dying in a fire by nearly a half.

Following these simple fire safety tips can boost survival rates dramatically. Please share them with your readers because knowledge is the best fire protection.

Fire Escape Planning Life-Saving Tips

Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home. Test smoke alarm batteries every month and change them at least once a year. Consider installing a 10-year lithium battery-powered smoke alarm, which is sealed so it cannot be tampered with or opened.
Know your local emergency numbers. In most areas, the number is 911.
Practice finding your way out of the house with your eyes closed, crawling or staying low and feeling your way out of the house.
Never open doors that are hot to the touch.
Teach your family to stop, drop to the ground and roll if their clothes catch fire.
Designate a meeting place outside and take attendance. Get out and stay out.
Remember to escape first, then notify the fire department.
Make sure everyone in your family knows at least two ways to escape from each room in the house.