Home Fire Drills
Know Your Way Out
An escape plan can help each family member get out of a burning house. The idea is to get outside quickly and safely.
Smoke from a fire can make it difficult to see where things are; therefore, it is important to learn and remember the different ways to exit your home.
How many exits are there?
How do you get to them from your room?
It is a very good idea to have your family draw a map of the escape plan.
One of the doors could be blocked with smoke/fire, so, you will want to know where other ones are. If you live in an apartment building, you will want to familiarize yourself with the best way to the stairwell or other emergency exits.
Smoke from a fire can make it difficult to see where things are; therefore, it is important to learn and remember the different ways to exit your home.
How many exits are there?
How do you get to them from your room?
It is a very good idea to have your family draw a map of the escape plan.
One of the doors could be blocked with smoke/fire, so, you will want to know where other ones are. If you live in an apartment building, you will want to familiarize yourself with the best way to the stairwell or other emergency exits.
Important Safety Tips
- If you are located in a room with the door closed when the fire breaks out, you need to take a few extra steps:
- Check to see if there is heat or smoke coming in the cracks around the door.
- If you see smoke coming under the door — DO NOT open the door!
- If you do not see smoke — touch the door. If the door is hot or very warm — do not open the door!
- If you do not see smoke — and the door is not hot — then use your fingers to lightly touch the doorknob. If the doorknob is hot or very warm — don't open the door!
- If the doorknob feels cool, and you can't see any smoke around the door, you can open the door very carefully and slowly.
- When you open the door, if you feel a burst of heat, or smoke pours into the room, quickly shut the door and make sure it is really closed. If there's no smoke or heat when you open the door, go toward your escape route exit.