Family Fire Safety Plan

1. Family FireFamily Fire
Protection andProtection and
Exit StrategiesExit Strategies
By: Naomi ArnoldBy: Naomi Arnold

2. GoalGoal
““The goal is to educate theThe goal is to educate the
public about the importancepublic about the importance
of balanced fire protection andof balanced fire protection and
to equip families with the basic knowledge of how toto equip families with the basic knowledge of how to
address a fire situation safely.”address a fire situation safely.”
Professional Safety, 2009

3. ObjectivesObjectives
 Teach families to be prepared when it comes to fire safetyTeach families to be prepared when it comes to fire safety
and protectionand protection
 Emphasize a fire protection plan that doesn’t rely on oneEmphasize a fire protection plan that doesn’t rely on one
single safeguard, but rather a complete, detailed andsingle safeguard, but rather a complete, detailed and
stable evacuation planstable evacuation plan
 Make families aware about fire hazards in the home.Make families aware about fire hazards in the home.

4. Eliminate Fire HazardsEliminate Fire Hazards
 Do not overload electrical outlets.Do not overload electrical outlets.
 Switch off all electrical appliances when not using.Switch off all electrical appliances when not using.
 Store flammable products away from heat.Store flammable products away from heat.
 Have easy access to the fire extinguisher and anyHave easy access to the fire extinguisher and any
emergency exit.emergency exit.
 Do not run extension cords behind rugs or curtains.Do not run extension cords behind rugs or curtains.

5. Fire PreventionFire Prevention
 Keep operational fire extinguishers handy.Keep operational fire extinguishers handy.
 Make sure everyone knows how to use a fire extinguisher.Make sure everyone knows how to use a fire extinguisher.
 P.A.S.S.P.A.S.S.
 Smoke detectorsSmoke detectors
 Test regularlyTest regularly

6. Tips for a Good Escape PlanTips for a Good Escape Plan
 Two ways outTwo ways out
 Outside meeting placeOutside meeting place
 Working smoke alarmsWorking smoke alarms
 Draw up a diagram of the house to visualize each way out.Draw up a diagram of the house to visualize each way out.
 Pick a designated person to call 911 – once outsidePick a designated person to call 911 – once outside
 PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICEPRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE

7. Family Exit ProceduresFamily Exit Procedures
Done as a family:Done as a family:
 Draw a diagram of the houseDraw a diagram of the house
 Walk around to each room with the diagramWalk around to each room with the diagram
and point out 2 exits.and point out 2 exits.
 If live in a multi-story home, invest in fire windowIf live in a multi-story home, invest in fire window
escape ladders.escape ladders.
 If live in a multi-story apartment building, mapIf live in a multi-story apartment building, map
out as many routes as possible to exit stairwaysout as many routes as possible to exit stairways
on your floors of the building.on your floors of the building.
 Agree on a meeting place outside the house (ex:Agree on a meeting place outside the house (ex:
mailbox or a neighbors yard)mailbox or a neighbors yard)
 Never go back inside for anyone or anything.Never go back inside for anyone or anything.
http://www.sparky.org/safety_tips.html

8. Family Exit Fire DrillFamily Exit Fire Drill
 Once plan is complete….PracticeOnce plan is complete….Practice
 Create a scenario of where the fire takes place, haveCreate a scenario of where the fire takes place, have
everyone go to their roomseveryone go to their rooms
 Once everyone is in their rooms “asleep” have someoneOnce everyone is in their rooms “asleep” have someone
set off the smoke detectorset off the smoke detector (start of the drill)(start of the drill)
 Practice with different escape routes, but always meetingPractice with different escape routes, but always meeting
at the family meeting place.at the family meeting place.

9. Test the DoorTest the Door
 Always use the back of your handAlways use the back of your hand
 Stay low, smoke will riseStay low, smoke will rise
 If door is warmIf door is warm  use alternativeuse alternative
route outsideroute outside
 If door is coolIf door is cool  brace body behindbrace body behind
door, open door a crack to check fordoor, open door a crack to check for
smoke, continue outside tosmoke, continue outside to
meeting placemeeting place
 Always close doors behind youAlways close doors behind you
http://www.burninstitute.org/fbp/factsheets/escape.html

10. Stay Low!!!Stay Low!!!
 Always remember to stay low!!Always remember to stay low!!
 Smoke will rise!Smoke will rise!
 Want crawl on your hands andWant crawl on your hands and
knees to the closest exit.knees to the closest exit.
 If available, grab a cloth to coverIf available, grab a cloth to cover
your nose and mouth.your nose and mouth.

11. StatisticsStatistics
 Over 4,000 Americans dieOver 4,000 Americans die
each year in house fires.each year in house fires.
 Over 20,000 get injured every year from house fires.Over 20,000 get injured every year from house fires.
 In a few seconds a fire can become out of control, and leadIn a few seconds a fire can become out of control, and lead
to evacuation.to evacuation.
 Having a working smoke detector in your home cuts yourHaving a working smoke detector in your home cuts your
chances of dying in a house fire by 50%.chances of dying in a house fire by 50%.
U.S. Fire Administration, 2009

12. ResourcesResources
 (2009). ExtinguisherTrainingVideo Educates Public on Fire Safety.(2009). ExtinguisherTrainingVideo Educates Public on Fire Safety. Professional SafetyProfessional Safety,, 5454(6),(6),
6. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database. 10/5/106. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database. 10/5/10
 (2008). In the Loop.(2008). In the Loop. Professional SafetyProfessional Safety,, 5353(10), 6. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier(10), 6. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier
database. 10/5/10database. 10/5/10
 Diment, E. (2008). A Practical Guide toTenant Fire Safety: PART 2.Diment, E. (2008). A Practical Guide toTenant Fire Safety: PART 2. Journal of Housing &Journal of Housing &
Community DevelopmentCommunity Development,, 6565(5), 34-36. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.(5), 34-36. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.
10/5/1010/5/10
 (2008). Life Safety Code Under Revision.(2008). Life Safety Code Under Revision. Professional SafetyProfessional Safety,, 5353(7), 36. Retrieved from(7), 36. Retrieved from
MasterFILE Premier database. 10/5/10MasterFILE Premier database. 10/5/10
 Burn Institute (2010) Retrieved October 12, 2010.Burn Institute (2010) Retrieved October 12, 2010.
http://www.burninstitute.org/fbp/factsheets/escape.htmlhttp://www.burninstitute.org/fbp/factsheets/escape.html
 Sparky the fire dog (n.d.) Retrieved October 12, 2010.Sparky the fire dog (n.d.) Retrieved October 12, 2010. http://www.sparky.org/safety_tips.htmlhttp://www.sparky.org/safety_tips.html
 U.S. Fire Administration (2009). Get out safely (Electronic version). Homeland SecurityU.S. Fire Administration (2009). Get out safely (Electronic version). Homeland Security
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/all_citizens/home_fire_prev/escape/http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/citizens/all_citizens/home_fire_prev/escape/