Make Your Home Fire Safe

• Consider having 1 or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get training from the fire department in how to use them.
• Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home.
• If people sleep with doors closed, install smoke alarms inside sleeping areas, too.
• Smoke alarms become less sensitive over time. Replace your smoke alarms every 10 years.
• Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home.
• Use the test button to check each smoke alarm once a month. When necessary, replace batteries immediately. Replace all batteries at least once a year.
• Vacuum away cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms monthly.

Plan Your Escape Routes

• Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second or 3rd floor. Learn how to use them and store them near the window.
• Determine at least 2 ways to escape from every room of your home.
• Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.
• Select a location outside your home where everyone would meet after escaping.

Escape Safely

• If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Signal for help using a bright-colored cloth at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and tell them where you are.
• If you are escaping through a closed door, feel the door before opening it. If it is warm, use your second way out.
• If you see smoke or fire in your 1st escape route, use your 2nd way out. If you must exit through smoke, crawl low under the smoke to your exit.
• Once you are out, stay out! Call the fire department from a neighbor's home.

More Information

Your local Red Cross chapter can provide additional materials in English and Spanish.