PLAN FOR FIRE SAFETY

    You are asleep.  Its 3:00 a.m. and a strange sound wakes you.  You realize that your house is on fire and you and your family have minutes to get out alive.  What do you do?  Without a family plan of escape this scene could end in tragedy.  The best way to survive a house fire is to plan your escape routes, now.
    "Approximately 80% of all fire deaths in the U.S. occur in homes. Once a fire starts it's too late to plan an escape route," said Stuart Crine, assistant commissioner for the State Fire Marshal's Office. "Two simple actions can prevent disaster, installation of smoke alarms and a plan of escape that the entire family practices."
    Tennessee has the seventh highest fire death rate in the nation. In 1996 alone, 164 people died in fires.
    "More fires occur during late fall and winter than any other time of the year.  From 1993 through 1995 over 50% of all fire deaths occurred during December through March.  That makes planning now essential," said Crine.
    The largest percentage of fire deaths occur in the young and old with 13% percent of fire deaths in Tennessee occurring in preschool children and 37% in people over fifty-nine.  Consider the needs of the old and young during the planning process. Make certain they can find and open doors and windows.
    Crine recommends that families;

1. Develop a step-by-step escape plan with your family.
2. Determine at least two ways to get out of each room.  Make sure that windows open and doors unlock easily.
3. Learn the emergency number and call that number from a nearby phone once you are outside.
4. Practice your escape route at least twice a year.
5. Install a smoke detector on every floor of your house and near the bedrooms.
6. Test your detectors at least once a month.
7. Establish a meeting place outside the home that is easy to remember, such as a large tree or mail box. Parents die needlessly while looking for children in a burning home because they did not have a meeting place where they could determine if everyone got out.
8. Once you are out, stay out.

Source: Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance