HOME FIRE ESCAPE PLANNING AND PRACTICE:

The elements of an effective home fire escape plan include the following:

      - Working smoke alarms on every level of eh home and outside all sleeping areas

      - Two ways out of each room

      - Unobstructed and easy-to-use exits

      - A meeting place outside

      - A posted emergency phone number for the fire department

Everyone, including preschoolers, can be taught the basics of fire escape. If there are infants or family members with mobility limitations, someone in the household plan to assist them. Also make sure the doors needed for escape can be opened easily, and that windows are not painted or nailed shut. The most important thing to remember is to react to the sound of the smoke detector immediately and make getting out your top priority.