Fire Safety

In addition to purchasing the Emergency Smoke Mask Kit there are a number of things can be done to help ensure your survival in the case of a fire.

Home Fire Safety Tips

          The American Red Cross calls Home Fires, “America’s Biggest Disaster Threat.”  In order to protect yourself and your family it is important that you have plan.

Make Your Home Fire Safe

• Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm outside each sleeping area and on each additional level of your home. If people sleep with doors closed, install smoke alarms inside sleeping areas, too. Use the test button to check each smoke alarm once a month. When necessary, replace batteries immediately. Replace all batteries at least once a year. Vacuum away cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms monthly. Smoke alarms become less sensitive over time. Replace your smoke alarms every ten years. Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. Get training from the fire department in how to use them. Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system in your home.
• Purchase an Emergency Smoke Mask Kit for every member of your family.

Plan Your Escape Routes

• Determine at least two ways to escape from every room of your home. Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second or third floor. Learn how to use them and store them near the window. Select a location outside your home where everyone would meet after escaping. Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.
• Once a year, review the donning instructions for the Emergency Smoke Mask.  Use a practice filter for demonstration and practice purposes.

Escape Safely

• Immediately put on your Emergency Smoke Mask and goggles. Once you are out, stay out! Call the fire department from a neighbor's home. If you see fire in your first escape route, use your second way out. If you must exit through smoke without an emergency smoke mask, crawl low under the smoke to your exit. If you are escaping through a closed door, feel the door before opening it. If it is warm, use your second way out.
• If heat or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with the door closed. Signal for help using a bright-colored cloth at the window. If there is a telephone in the room, call the fire department and tell them where you are.

Hotel/Motel Fire Safety Tips

          When traveling, it is important to become familiar with your surroundings. The United States Fire Administration would like you to review the following safety tips to assist you in preparing for fire safe traveling.

Plan Ahead

• When making your reservations, ask if the hotel or motel has smoke detectors and fire sprinklers. When traveling, take a flashlight with you. Read the fire evacuation plan carefully. If one is not posted in your room, request one from the front desk. Locate the two exits from your room. Count the number of doors between your room and the exits. This will assist you in the need of an emergency evacuation. Locate the fire alarms on your floor.
• Never smoke in bed.

Life Saving Safety Steps

• If the fire is in your room, get out quickly. Close the door, sound the alarm and notify the front desk. Always use a stairwell, never an elevator. The elevator could stop at the floor of the fire. If the fire is not in your room, leave if it is safe to do so. Be sure to take your room key with you in case fire blocks your escape and you need to re-enter your room. To check the hallway for fire, touch the door with the back of your hand to test the temperature. If the door is cool, get low to the floor, brace your shoulder against the door and open it slowly. Be ready to close it quickly if there are flames on the other side. Don your Emergency Smoke Mask and Goggles.  If you do not have the Smoke Mask crawl low in the smoke to the nearest exit; the freshest air is near the floor.
• If your room door is hot, do not open it. Instead, seal the door with wet towels or sheets. Turn off the fans and air conditioners. Call the fire department to give your location. Signal from your window.