You may only have three minutes or less to escape once a fire in your home. There are three steps to increase your chances of survival: install working smoke alarms, close before you doze, and create/practice a fire escape plan.
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 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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