1. Draw up a floor plan of your home or apartment. Show all doors and windows, as well as stairways, porches and roofs.

2. Figure out two (2) ways to reach the ground safely from each room, especially from each bedroom.

3. Arrange for a meeting place for all family members away from the house.

4. Practice a fire drill at least every six (6) months.

5. Know your fire department's phone number. If you suspect fire, get out first and call the fire department from your neighbors house.

• Check to see if heaters are at least three (3) feet away from walls, sofas, and anything else that is flammable.

• Has your chimney been inspected in the past twelve (12) months?

• If you have a fireplace, does it have a sturdy screen to catch sparks?

• Has your heating and cooling system been professionally inspected and/or serviced in the past twelve (12) months?

• Does your home have a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm outside of each sleeping area?

• Are paints, gasoline, and other flammable liquids stored away from flames and sparks?

• Is gasoline stored outside the home in a separate shed or garage?

• Is your storage area clean - no oily rags, open containers, or puddles of flammable liquids that could catch fire.

• Do the tripping points of your fuses or breakers match the capacity of the circuits they protect? (If you are unsure or they don't have them professionally inspected and/or repaired.)

• Do you test bathroom and kitchen Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI's) each month?

• If the smoke detectors in your house are more than ten (10) years they should be replaced.

• Do you have smoke detectors installed on every level of your home and outside of each sleeping area? For the best protection, install interconnected smoke detectors in each bedroom and throughout the home. when one sounds, they all sound.

• Do you test your smoke detectors at least once a month?

• Does everyone in your home know the sound of your smoke detector?

• Do you have alarms with flashing lights for people that are hearing impaired?

• Does your family have a home fire escape plan, and you practice it every six (6) months?

• Does an adult stay in the kitchen when food is being fried, grilled, or broiled?

• Is your stovetop clean no grease, no spills, no clutter

• When you cook, do you turn pot handles toward the back of the stove?

E.D.I.T.H.

What is E.D.I.T.H.?
E.D.I.T.H stands for E-Exit D-Drills I-In T-The H-Home.

How do you practice? It is similar to the fire drill that children practice in school, but it’s practiced at home. This will help prepare family members to be ready for a fast escape in the unfortunate event of your house catching on fire.

First:-Draw an outline of your house.
-Mark all exits, doors, stairs, and windows.
-Make your escape routes. (Remember to have two (2) ways out of your house, incase your primary escape route is blocked by smoke or fire).
-Make a meeting place, which is a spot away from your house that would be a safe place to wait on the fire department your mailbox, a tree or lamppost.
-After you draw your escape plan you must practice it as if it was an actual fire.
-To do this have someone set off the smoke detector to start the drill. Remember to crawl to your door and check the door for heat with the back of your hand.
-If the door is not hot proceed to open the door.
-If the door is hot you should use your alternate escape route
-If there is no fire present stay low and get out of the house.
-Once you get out you should never go back in for any reason.
-Practice both escape routes at least twice a year.
-Keep in mind if you are trapped and do not have escape route, you should go to a window, and wave a sheet, towel, blanket, flashlight, or something to catch someone’s attention.
-It is very important to teach children not to hide if they can not escape or get trapped in the house.