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16. Good Safety Habits
deVeLop and practice a pLan oF eScape
Prepare and practice a home escape plan twice a year, including drills at night. Know two ways
out of every room (door & window) and identify a meeting place outside the home where
everyone will gather once they have exited the residence. When two people have reached
the meeting place, one should leave to call 911 while the second person stays to account for
additional family members. Establish a rule that once you're out, you never re-enter under
any circumstance!
•
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 and where to meet after they leave the house.
•
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.
•
Familiarize everyone with the sounds of the smoke alarm and train them to leave your
home when they hear it.
•
Current studies have shown smoke alarms may not awaken all sleeping individuals, 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.
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