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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 occu-
pants to test your plan before an emergency. You may not be able to reach
your children. It is important they know what to do.
• Current studies have shown smoke alarms may not awaken all sleeping indi-
viduals, and that it is the responsibility of individuals in the household that are
capable of assisting others to provide assistance to those who may not be
awakened by the alarm sound, or to those who may be incapable of safely
evacuating the area unassisted.
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 getting 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. For instance:
- Smoking in bed.
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