Practice Exit Drill in the Home (E. D. I. T. H.) Each year too many children die in house fires. You can help save your family in the event of a fire by planning and practicing exit drills in the home with them. First, you should plan two ways out in case one way is blocked by fire. You can draw the layout of your home on paper to assist you. Next you should decide on one meeting place outside of your home so that both you and the fire department know when your entire family is out of the house. Finally and most important you must practice these drills regularly. If your children are very familiar with the exit plan they will be much more likely to make it out safely during a fire. Practice Your Escape Plan! Everyone should have an escape plan in case of a fire and you should practice that escape plan so you are ready should a fire occur. Here are some tips to remember when you are practicing your fire escape plan. Always have at least two ways out of each room, such as doors and windows. Make sure that all exits are clear and working. If doors or windows are blocked by items such as boxes or furniture, someone, especially young children, may not be able to move them quickly enough to escape. Test your windows to make certain that they are not stuck shut and screens are removable from the inside. If your windows have bars on the outside, find out if they can be opened during an emergency and if not, have them retrofitted to be opened from inside. Teach children how to unlock and open the window in case they ever need to get out. If a screen is on the outside, demonstrate how they can remove it. Choose a meeting place where members of your family can assemble once you get out. This location should be safely accessible for all members. For example, if small children are in the family, choose a location where they would not have to cross the street, such as the mailbox, a tree in the yard, or the neighbor’s fence. Practice your plan at least twice a year. Make sure that you have also practiced at night because some family members may not wake up to the smoke alarm and the exits are more difficult to find by feeling your way through the dark. Call your local fire department and notify them about any special circumstances within your home, such as two babies in one room, someone with a physical disability, or any person with special needs. This ensures the information is available to them before an emergency happens. Also share this information with your neighbors so they may inform the police and fire department in the event of an emergency. Once everyone gets out, make sure that they stay out! (click here to return to Pub Ed Home page) |