Fire is moving faster through a structure. Because of the use of synthetic material in furniture and building material, you now have an average of 3 minutes to escape compared to 17 minutes 40 years ago. One thing everyone can do to help increase their survival in a fire is close the door to your bedroom before you go to sleep. This will give you extra minutes of protection. The following are a few guidelines to help protect yourself and family:
Smoke alarms give you and your loved ones the earliest warning possible that there is a fire, so you can get
out of your home quickly and safely. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each separate
sleeping area, and on every level of the home. Check your smoke alarms twice a year and replace them once
they stop working according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. When replacing or buying new smoke
alarms, look for products that are third-party listed or certified.
A closed door can be an effective barrier against deadly levels of carbon monoxide, smoke, and flames, and
may give you more time to respond to the smoke alarm. In fact, there can be a 900-degree Fahrenheit
temperature difference between a room with an open door and one with a closed door. While a room with
an open door may reach 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit a room with a closed door may only reach 100 degrees
Fahrenheit. Make closing doors at night part of your bedtime routine.
If there is a fire in your home, there won’t be time to plan a way out in the moment. Create an escape plan for
your home and practice it with your family so you’re ready for a fire emergency. Don’t wait, plan ahead. Make
sure your Fire Escape Plan includes a Plan A, B and C!
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