If you have a disability, think about how it might affect you if there was a fire. Talk it over with those with whom you live and work. Every home and workplace needs an escape plan. If you live in a Community Care Facility (CCF), you must have regular fire drills and posted routes of evacuation. When you have a fire escape plan, it must be practiced many times. The plan should include two ways out of any room. If you are healthy, walk without difficulty, and have no hearing or vision loss, you might have a simple plan. If you need adaptive equipment, use oxygen, or don’t hear well, your plan may be more detailed. If you use a wheelchair, you may want to keep it parked near the head of the bed for quick access in the event of an emergency. Special fire alarms with flashing lights may be installed in rooms where people sleep who have hearing loss.
It is good to practice fire drills at different times of day when people are in different areas of the house or workplace. About once a year, it is recommended that you have a drill when everyone is in bed. This is true for families in their own homes and for people who live in shared homes. Most fires where people are seriously injured or killed occur at night. This is good practice even if you live in your own apartment or with parents or friends. Give it a try!
What To Do When the Smoke Alarm Sounds:
- Stop what you are doing immediately.
- Look for the door to the outside.
- Listen for sounds and then go towards the door.
- Feel the door to see if it is hot; if it is cold, then open it and go outside. If it is hot, then stay in the room and go to the window to try to get help.
- Walk away from the building but stay near until help comes.
- If the door is hot,
- Or you smell smoke,
- Or it is dark and smoky in your room,
- Get out of bed.
- Cover your mouth and nose with your hand.
- Yell for help!
- Call 911 if you have a phone near you.
- Go to the window and try to get help.
- Crawl to the closest outside door leading to the outside if you think you can get to safety even though it is smoky.
- Remember your exit plan and talk about it often with your housemates.
- Be sure your smoke detector is working and check it monthly.
- Place fire extinguishers in locations where they may be needed such as kitchens and workshop areas. Check them often and get them refilled according to manufacturer’s instructions.
- Keep a flashlight in your bedside table or within reach of your bed.
- Think about having a phone in your room.
- Don’t smoke in the house.
- Dispose of ashes in a covered metal pail.
- Check your home regularly for fire hazards and remove them.
- Consider if you want to give prior notification to nearby fire/emergency personnel if you have special evacuation needs in the event of an emergency.
When you plan ahead and practice, you are prepared!