By learning how to create a fire safety plan, you make your home safer for everyone who enters. Make a fire escape plan, then ensure everyone in your family knows how to execute the plan in an emergency.
Step One
Act quickly if a fire starts, as a small flame can become a major fire in only 30 seconds.
Step Two
Examine your home and plan two exits from every room in case one exit is blocked by smoke or fire. Draw a diagram of your home and mark the two exits on the diagram. Keep the diagram in a location where everybody in your family can see it. In case the door to an upstairs room is blocked, plan a secondary route out a window and onto an adjacent roof, or place a collapsible ladder in the room. Check every room occasionally to make sure windows are not stuck, and that screens can be removed and security bars open easily. Ensure that security bars have a quick-release device.
Step Three
Plan ahead how to rescue babies and toddlers. Have a baby harness to carry a baby so your hands are free to carry a toddler or older child. Place the harness in an easily accessible location.
Step Four
Teach toddlers and young children about the dangers of fire. Instruct children to stay away from fire, the oven, stove and fireplace.
Step Five
Educate toddlers and young children what to do if a fire starts, and explain to children regularly how they should react.
Step Six
Instruct children not to play with matches and lighters, especially if the child shows intense curiosity about fire. Keep lighters and matches stored safely out of the reach of children. Purchase child-resistant lighters and safety matches. Remind children and adults to touch doors before exiting, as doors may be hot enough to burn. Teach your family members to crawl on the floor below smoke, and to stop, drop and roll if clothing catches fire.
Step Seven
Install fire alarms on every level of the house and test the batteries every month. Fire safety officials recommend changing fire alarm batteries the time changes to daylight savings time. Purchase new fire alarms every 10 years.
Step Eight
Practice the fire escape plan every month. Involve all people who reside in your home. Practice closing your eyes and feeling your way out of your house, or feel your way out of your home in the dark.
Step Nine
Account for everyone in the house if a fire starts, then get everybody out immediately without stopping to collect material goods. Plan a convenient gathering location ahead of time, then be sure everybody is aware of the location. Stay out of the house once you leave.