Fire Department Safety Tips

To view a safety topic, click one of the following links.

Candle Safety, Disposing of Cigarettes Properly, Escape Drills in the Home,  Fireworks Safety, Fire Place & Wood Stove Safety, Home Portable Fire Extinguishers, Hot Weather Safety, Preventing Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning

This month's safety spotlight:  Escape Drills in the Home

Every household should have a home fire escape plan and practice Escape Drills in the Home (E.D.I.T.H.). If a fire should occur, having a plan that you and your family have practiced can lead to a safe escape.

Enter the Escape Drills in the Home contest and you could win a ride on a fire engine in the Festival of Lights Parade.  Enter by November 26th, 2007.

You should plan and practice two escape routes; one route using hallways and stairways, and a second route using windows in case the hallways and stairways are blocked by smoke or fire.   Please join the Salem Fire Department in helping to save lives by completing a home fire escape plan. 

Here’s how

• Begin your escape plan by drawing an outline of your house.  Include every room and label them.
• Show windows, doors, hallways and stairways.
• Use a black pen to draw arrows showing your regular escape route through hallways and stairways.
• Now use a red pen to draw arrows showing your alternate escape route through windows.  The alternate route is to be used if there is smoke or fire in the hallways or stairways.
• Identify a meeting place for your family to meet outside of the house.

Practice Your Plan

• Practice both of your escape plans.  Practice two escape drills; one using your regular route and a second using your alternate route. 
• Start by closing all of the bedroom doors.
• Then set off the smoke detector by pushing the test button.
• REMEMBER!  Always test the doors for heat before opening them. 
• If the door is hot or warm, do not open it.  Instead, use your alternative route. 
• If the door does not feel hot to the touch, open the door a crack to see if there is smoke.  If there is no smoke, exit the house.
• If you find heavy smoke, close the door and use your alternative escape route.
• Go to your family meeting place outside.

Remember These Tips!

• Install a smoke detector on every level of your home, inside of each bedroom, and in the hallways.
• Check your smoke detector monthly to make sure it is working properly.
• Make sure to plan for assisting family members who are unable to escape on their own.
• Practice both your primary and alternative escape routes.
• Check to make sure all windows open easily.
• Never waste time getting dressed or gathering valuables.
• Always test doors for heat before opening.
• Crawl low on the floor to avoid smoke.
• Exit quickly and calmly.
• Go to your family meeting place outside.
• In an actual fire, once you get out, stay out! 
• Call 911 from a neighbor’s house.