Fire Escape Plan
When planning a fire escape plan, be sure to include the whole family and make it a fun project. Using graph paper can help make it easier. Draw the layout of your house including all rooms, doors, windows and exits. Be sure to draw two ways out of each room and have the diagram show where to meet outside and away from the home. The meeting place should be far enough away from the home to avoid emergency responders and keep away from danger. Some examples of a meeting place are: tree, swing set, mailbox, neighbors house, etc.
Smoke Alarms
Even though over 90% of homes have smoke alarms, only 1/3 of them work. The Asheville Fire Department recommends each home has at least one smoke alarm. Having smoke alarms greatly increases your chances of getting out of a fire alive. Place smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside each sleeping area and inside the bedrooms as well. Placing them in the middle of the ceiling is best, but if not possible, you can place them on the wall no more than 4 inches from the ceiling. Remember, smoke rises! Be sure to check your smoke alarms once a month and change the batteries twice a year. You can remember to change your batteries whenever you change your clocks for daylight savings time.
Fire Extinguishers
The Asheville Fire Department recommends that each home have at least one fire extinguisher rated 2A10BC. Although you should have one near your kitchen, don't place it too close to your stove where a fire is likely to occur. Other good locations might be near heating equipment, near the dryer or in the garage. Asheville Fire and Rescue offers fire extinguisher classes to the public using the acronym P.A.S.S. (pull, aim, squeeze and sweep).
Matches and Lighters
Children should learn that matches and lighters are TOOLS not TOYS. Adults should remember to always lock up matches and lighters even if they think their children know better not to touch them.
A great reference for fire safety tips can be found at http://www.firesafety.gov./
For information on Child Proofing visit http://www.childproofadvice.org/