What to do in the event
of a Fire at your Home

Before a fire happens, be prepared by installing smoke detectors and checking periodically to ensure that they work. Conduct fire drills in your home and plan escape routes as well as a place for all members of the family to meet outside.

You may never have to face an uncontrolled fire, but knowing what to do at the time can save your life. Practice the following actions in your fire drills.

Go to your door and feel it to see if it's hot.

If the door isn't hot, then leave the room and then the building. Leave immediately and don't come back. If you encounter smoke while leaving, drop down to the floor and crawl out.

If the door is hot when you feel it, go out through the window or take another route. If you have no way out, keep your door closed so that smoke can't get into the room. Drop down to the floor, where the fresher air is, and crawl over to the window. Open it and hang a sheet or blanket out the window to alert firefighters you are in the room.

Once out of your building, do not return for any reason. Call the fire department from a location that is a safe distance from the fire.

If your clothes catch fire, stop where you are, drop to the floor or ground and roll around. That will help put out the flames. Fire experts call this action stop, drop and roll.