How to Be Safe in a Fire

Smoke alarms save lives. You should have a working smoke alarm outside your bedroom door. Press the test button once a month to be sure the batteries are working.

Have an Escape PlanYou should have at least two ways out of every room. Your family should have one meeting place.

Sleep with your bedroom door closed. A tightly closed door will keep most heat and smoke out.

Roll out of bed if there’s a fire. Do not stand up. It can be over 400 degrees above your bed and 1000 degrees at the ceiling.

Crawl to the door. There is less heat and smoke near the floor.

Feel the door to see if it is hot.Use the back of your hand. It is more sensitive to heat. Start at the bottom of the door and move up.

Make sure the door handle is not hot before opening the door.

If the door feels cool, open it just a crack. Look for smoke or fire. If there is only a little smoke near the ceiling, you can try escaping out the door.

If you see flames or a lot of smoke, don’t go out the door.

Close the door to keep the smoke and heat out. This will give you time to try another way out.

If necessary, try your second way out.

Join your family at your meeting place and be sure everyone is out of the house.

Call 911 to report the fire. Wait for the fire department. Do not go back into the house.

Practice your escape plan.

Be ready in case you are ever in a fire.