8. GOOD SAFETY HABITS
DEVELOP AND PRACTICE A PLAN OF ESCAPE
•Install and maintain Fire extinguishers on every level of the home and in the kitchen, basement and garage. Know how to use a fire extinguisher prior to an emergency.
•Make a floor plan indicating all doors and windows and at least two (2) escape routes from each room. Second story windows may need a rope or chain ladder.
•Have a family meeting and discuss your escape plan, showing everyone what to do in case of fire.
•Determine a place outside your home where you all can meet if a fire occurs.
•Familiarize everyone with the sound of the smoke alarm and train them to leave your home when they hear it.
•Practice a fire drill at least every six months, including fire drills at night. Ensure that small children hear the alarm and wake when it sounds. They must wake up in order to execute the escape plan. Practice allows all occupants 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
•Alert small children in the home.
•Leave immediately by your escape plan. Every second counts, so don’t waste time get- ting dressed or picking up valuables.
•In 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 the inside of the door is cool, place your shoulder against it, open it slightly and be ready to slam it shut if heat and smoke rush in.
•Stay close to the floor if the air is smoky. Breathe shallowly through a cloth, wet if possible.
•Once outside, go to your selected meeting place and make sure everyone is there.
•Call the fire department from your neighbor’s home - not from yours!
•Don’t return to your home until the fire officials say that it is all right to do so.
There are situations where a smoke alarm may not be effective to protect against fire as stated in the NFPA Standard 72. For instance:
a)smoking in bed
b)leaving children home alone
c)cleaning with flammable liquids, such as gasoline
9.NRC INFORMATION
Ionization type smoke alarms use a very small amount of a radioactive element in the sensing chamber to enable detection of visible and invisible combustion products. The radioactive element is safely contained in the chamber and requires no adjust- ments or maintenance. This smoke alarm meets or exceeds all government standards. It is manufactured and distributed under license from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
