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5 Ways to Prepare Your Family for a Home Fire

2018 has seen its fair share of fires. Unfortunately, many fires do start in the home and can potentially be deadly for you or your family. It’s important that your entire household knows what to do in the event of a personal home fire so that everyone can safely remove themselves from the house as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Here are 5 ways you can prepare your family for a house fire:

1. Check Smoke Alarms Regularly: Test your smoke alarm batteries on a monthly basis and replace them each year. You’ll also want to install smoke alarms in every bedroom as well as bedroom hallways. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years to ensure you’re keeping everyone living in your home safe.

2. Create Escape Route Plans: Ensure your family, especially children, are aware of your escape routes from each room and where they should go once out of the house. If your home is higher than one story, you’ll want to keep a fire escape ladder close.

3. Coordinate Communication: Discuss a communication plan so all household members know who to contact if your family members cannot find one another. Speak with a friend or neighbor and ask if they can be an emergency contact point for your family members in the event of an emergency.

4. Have Practice Drills: Have yearly drills to ensure your family can practice your escape route in real-time.

5. Locate Home Fire Extinguisher: Confirm each family members knows where your home fire extinguisher is as well as how to use it in the event of a fire. You can learn more about the right way to use a fire extinguisher here. If you’re dealing with a fire that is taller than you are, you should get everyone out of the house as quickly as possible.