Did you know that you may have as little as two minutes to escape if a fire starts at your home? During a fire, early warning from a smoke alarm plus a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives. Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fires, followed by heating equipment. Other causes include smoking, electrical problems and children playing with fire and candles.
Follow these tips to keep you and your loved ones safe.
- Install both types of smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms; change the batteries at least once a year in these devices.
- Plan and practice an escape route and agree on a meeting place outside of your home; be prepared to assist young children, family members with special needs and pets.
- Know two ways out of every room in the home.
- Learn how to use your fire extinguisher.
- If your clothes catch on fire, stop, drop and roll.
- When evacuating, if door handles are hot, pick an alternate route.
- Leave your house and call for help; do not go back to help someone else.
Additional Resources
ARC "Home Fire Safety"
Ready.gov "Home Fires"
