Would Your Family Know What to Do In a Fire?

October 11, 2001

Residential fires claim the lives of 3,600 people each year and injure 18,500 more. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that someone in the United States dies in a fire every 2 1/2 hours, with children younger than 5 at greatest risk.

Would you know what to do if a fire started in your home? Would your child?

This week is National Fire Prevention Week. Take the time to review these fire safety facts and tips so that your family will know what to do in the event of a fire emergency in your home.

Make sure all smoke alarms are in working order.

It's a fact - having a smoke alarm in the house cuts your risk of dying in a fire in half. If your home doesn't have smoke alarms, now is the time to install them on every level of your home and in each bedroom.

If possible, choose a smoke alarm powered by a 10-year lithium battery. If your smoke alarm uses regular batteries, remember to replace them every year (hint: change your batteries when you change your clock in the fall). Test your smoke alarms monthly, and be sure your children are familiar with the sound of the alarm. Almost 60% of all fatal residential fires occur in homes that don't have them, so smoke alarms may be the single most important thing you can do to keep your family safe from fires.

Keep fire extinguishers handy.

Did you know that cooking, heating equipment (such as portable heaters), and smoking are the leading causes of residential fires? Be prepared for any accidents by having fire extinguishers placed strategically around your house, particularly in the kitchen. Fire extinguishers have gauges on them indicating when they need to be replaced and should be checked regularly to make sure they are still functional.

Plan escape routes.

Planned escape routes are a necessity, especially if a fire were to occur during the night. Go through each room in your house and think about the possible exits. You should have in your mind two escape routes from each room, in case one is blocked by fire. Inspect the room to make sure that furniture and other objects are not blocking doorways or windows. If you live in an apartment building, know the locations of the closest stairwells and where they lead.

Practice fire drills at home.

Kids have fire drills at school and adults have them at work. Why shouldn't families have them at home? Fires are frightening and can cause panic. By rehearsing different scenarios, your family will be less likely to waste precious time trying to figure out what to do. Discuss and rehearse the escape routes you've already planned for each room of your home. Designate a meeting place outside your house or apartment building where everyone can be safely accounted for after they escape. See if everyone can evacuate your home and gather outside within 3 minutes - the time it can take for an entire house to go up in flames.

Teach children the facts about evacuating safely during a fire.

Unfortunately, many children will try to hide from a fire, often in a closet or a corner. But if taught basic fire facts, children are better able to protect themselves. Teach your child that fires spread quickly, that 70% of fire-related deaths are not from burns but from smoke inhalation, and that dangerous fumes can overcome a person in just a few minutes. Children should learn to: