PREPARE YOUR FAMILY WITH A FIRE ESCAPE PLAN

                         You may have smoke alarms installed, but can your family escape if a fire breaks out inside your home?  The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) believes a sound escape plan will greatly reduce fire deaths and protect you and your family's safety if a fire occurs, according to www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/escape. 
                         If you haven't already, install smoke alarms on every level of your house.  The USFA recommends testing them monthly and replacing the batteries at least once a year.  Also, replace the entire smoke alarm every 10 years, or according to manufacturer guidelines.
                        Get the family together and discuss what to do in case of a fire.  Draw a floorplan of your home and indicate the escape routes from each room in the house.  The USFA recommends designating two escapes routes from each room in case the primary exit is blocked by flames or smoke.  A window with a collapsible ladder may be a secondary route, for example.  The USFA advises families to purchase "only collapsible ladders evaluted by a nationally recognized laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL)."  Also, ensure everyone knows how to open windows and remove screens from windows, and only install or use security bars with quick-release devices.
                        Designate a spot outside that is a safe distance from the home.  Everyone should meet at the spot immedately after exiting the home.  Underneath a specific tree across the street or at the end of the neighbor's driveway are possible locations.
                        Practice your escape plan.  The USFA recommends doing so every month.  Also, practice crawling to avoid smoke, and feel your way of the house with your eyes closed in case a fire breaks out at night and in the dark.
                        Teach children how to test a door forheat before opening.  "When you come to a closed door, use the back of your hand to feel the top of the door, the doorknob, and the crack between the door and door frame to make sure that fire is not on the other side," the USFA advises.  "If it feels hot, use your secondary escape route.  Even if the door feels cool, open it carefully.  Brace your shoulder against the door and open it slowly.  If heat and smoke come in, slam the door and make sure it is securely closed, then use your alternate escape route."
                        Afte you escape the home, notify the fire department by calling 911.  Do not place the call from inside the home first and then exit.  Also, never go backinto a burning home for any reason.  "If someone is missing, tell the firefighters," advises the USFA.  "They are equipped to perform rescues safely."
                        
                        "It only takes minutes for a house to fill with thick black smoke and become engulfed in flames."

                         For more on fire prevention, visit www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev.