Fire
Fires can happen quickly and quietly. Being prepared with an emergency plan and survival kits could make the difference for you and your family.
Preparation for a Fire:
Have a list of emergency contacts and local emergency centers.
Have a garden hose that is long enough to reach all areas of your property.
Keep vehicles full of gasoline as often as possible.
Make sure smoke detector (batteries) work in each room .
Have an escape plan with three or more exits (incase one exit is blocked).
Have an area outside where your family can meet, that is safe.
Evacuating during a Fire:
Call emergency officials.
After exiting make sure that no one in your family returns inside the burning building. Allow the professionals (firefighters) do it.
Activate a fire alarm immediately when sensing a fire.
Use fire exits and handrail stairs as available.
Make sure the main gas line is turned off.
Move furniture away from windows and doors towards the center of your home.
Close windows, vents, and doors.
Call family or friends to assure them of your safety.
Do not attempt to use any elevators.
Watch out for falling objects as you move towards a fire exit.
If caught in a room place clothing material under and around door to prevent more smoke from entering the room.
If you are surrounded by thick smoke drop to the floor and crawl. Try and use your shirt as a breathing filter, hold breath as much as you can tolerate.
If and exit is blocked try and move towards a window and signal for help.
If you are trapped with flames all around, cover your head with your clothing, close eyes, and move quickly through flames.
If you are ever on fire immediately STOP, DROP and ROLL.
Post Fire:
After a fire, do not return to the building or home until emergency officials allow it.
Have gas company turn gas line on.
Carefully check items in home for contamination and discard any items as necessary.
Have professionals check your utilities systems, before using.
Make sure all embers, smoke and other signs of a fire remaining are completely out.
Contact insurance agencies to make a claim.
Be grateful for the safety of your family and friends no matter what your material loss may be!
