Develop and Practice a Plan of Escape

BASICS OF ESCAPE PLAN

oMake a floor plan indicating all doors and windows and at least two escape routes from each room. Second story windows may need a rope or chain ladder.

oHave a family meeting and discuss your escape plan, showing everyone what to do in case of fire. o Determine a place outside your home where all of you can meet if a fire occurs.

o Familiarize everyone with the sound of the smoke alarm and train them to leave your home when they hear the sound.

o Identify children's bedrooms with red stickers placed in the upper left corner of the windows. They are available from your local fire department.

o Practice a fire drill at least every six months. Practice allows you to test your plan before an emergency. You may not be able to reach your children. It is important they know what to do!

WHAT TO DO WHEN THE ALARM SOUNDS

oLeave immediately by your plan of escape. Every second counts, so don't waste time getting dressed or picking up valuables.

oIn leaving, don't open any inside door without first feeling its surface. If hot, or if you see smoke seeping through cracks, don't open that door! Instead, use your alternate exit. If

inside door is cool, place your shoulder against it, open it slightly and be ready to slam it shut if heat and smoke rush in.

oStay close to the floor if air is smoky. Breathe shallowly through a cloth, wet if possible. o Once outside, go to your selected meeting place and make sure everyone is there.

o Call the fire department from your neighbor's home – not from yours!

o Don't return to your home until fire officials say that it is all right to do so.

NATIONAL FIRE PROTECTION ASSOCIATION REQUIRED PROTECTION

For your information, the National Fire Protection Association's Standard 72, reads as follows: “11.5.1 One- and Two-Family Dwelling Units. 11.5.1.1 Smoke Detection. Where required

by applicable laws, codes, or standards for the specified occupancy, approved single- and multiple-station smoke alarms shall be installed as follows: (1) In all sleeping rooms. Exception: Smoke alarms shall not be required in sleeping rooms in existing one- and two-family dwelling units. (2) Outside of each separate sleeping area, in immediate vicinity of the sleeping rooms. (3) On each level of the dwelling unit, including basements. Exception: In existing one- and two-family dwelling units, approved smoke alarms powered by batteries are permitted.

“A.11.8.3 Are More Smoke Detectors Desirable? The required number of smoke detectors might not provide reliable early warning protection for those areas separated by a door from the areas protected by the required smoke detectors. For this reason, it is recommended that the householder consider the use of additional smoke detectors for those areas for increased protection. The additional areas include the basement, bedrooms, dining room, furnace room, utility room, and hallways not protected by the required smoke detectors. The installation of smoke detectors in kitchens, attics (finished or unfinished), or garages is not normally recommended, as these locations occasionally experience conditions that can result in improper operation.”

The equipment should be installed using wiring methods in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association’s Standard 72, Chapter 11. (National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269).

THIS PRODUCT IS LISTED TO UL STANDARD FOR SAFETY,

UL217 6TH, BY UNDERWRITERS LABORATORIES

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