Between 2,500 and 3,000 Americans die in house fires every year. Most fires are caused by accident -- unattended cooking is the leading cause of most house fires, but smoking, heating and electrical issues can also result in a blaze. Once your smoke alarm starts blaring, you and your family will have less than two minutes to escape safely. Fire travels quickly and its speed is increased if you live in a home with an open floor plan. Here are some tips for creating a fire escape strategy for you and your family:
Don’t scrimp on smoke alarms
Properly placed and fully-functional smoke alarms will add crucial life-saving minutes in the event of a fire. Smoke alarms should be installed in every bedroom and outside each sleeping room as well as on every level of the house. Test the alarms monthly and replace the batteries regularly.
Practice Your Escape Route
You may be familiar with the exits of your home, but if your home is dark and filling with smoke, your main exits may be blocked by fire and you will need to have another exit strategy. When creating your fire escape plan, figure out the two best ways out of each room of the house and choose a meeting place a safe distance away from your home. Practice your escape plan with your family, so that if the smoke alarm sounds, they will know how to use their two minutes wisely.
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