Margate/Coconut Creek Fire Department
Safety Tips

Presented By The Fire Prevention Bureau
(E.D.I.T.H.) Escape Drills In The Home

The following is designed to assist you in establishing a safe and orgainized escape plan for your home.

1. Have an escape plan.
A. Discuss with the entire family what to do in a fire situation.
B. Organize a step by step proceedure for escape.
C. Sleep with the bedroom doors closed.
D. Know of two ways to exit every room.
E. Make sure all windows and doors can be opened easily.
F. Choose a meeting place, outside the house, after the evacuation.
G. Never go back into the house, once out stay out.

2. Practice your escape plan.
A. Choose a monitor to sound the alarm and time of the drill.
B. Utilize your second escape route.
C. Use a smoke detector as your sounding device.
D. Test your door prior to opening.

3. Stay low in smoke.
A. Heat and smoke will rise and good air is at the floor.
B. Learn to roll out of bed, keeping your head low, when you hear the alarm. C. Practice crawling fast and try to improve your time.
D. Maintain constant contact with the walls.

4. If you become trapped.
A. Put closed doors between you and the smoke.
B. Stuff cracks and cover vents to keep smoke out.
C. Signal from a window with a flash light or sheet.

5. Escaping from a multi story building.
A. Know how to get to the nearest stair way.
B. Make sure you have a safe way to the ground level.
C. Preplan any special arrangements needed for escape. (ropes, ladders, etc)
D. Have an area of refuge if unable to reach ground level.
E. Provide special plans for disabled people or children.

SMOKE DETECTOR SAFETY TIPS
Vacuum your detector and check the power supply
Make sure the detector can be heard with the doors closed

 

 

©2006 Margate Fire Department