When the smoke alarm goes off in a fire emergency, everyone must know where to go – that's why it is so important for everyone to have working smoke alarms and to develop and practice a home fire escape plan.
Once a fire has started, you may have only seconds to safely escape your home!
Fire and smoke can spread quickly, so be prepared in advance with these simple steps for home fire escape planning:
Assess the needs of everyone in your home
- Identify anyone who requires assistance to get out of the home safely, such as small children or older adults
Make sure that you have working smoke alarms on every storey of the home and outside all sleeping areas
- Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarm
Identify all possible exits (doors and windows) and make sure they work
- Know two ways out of all areas, if possible
Everyone must know what to do when the smoke alarm sounds
- Assign someone to help those who need assistance
- Identify a safe meeting place outside
- Call the fire department from a neighbour's home or cell phone
Practice your home fire escape plan
- Have everyone participate
- Make changes to your plan if necessary
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