Fire Prevention: Plan 2 Ways Out!

News provided by

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Oct 10, 2017, 11:06 ET

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Would you know what to do if there was a fire in your home? It's something no one really wants to think about, but the reality is having a well thought out plan can save your life and the lives of your loved ones. October 8^th-14^th is Fire Prevention Week and CPSC wants to remind everyone that "Every Second Counts: Plan 2 ways out!"

Did you know there are about 360,000 home fires every year leading to roughly 2,200 deaths? In addition, nearly 11,500 ER treated fire injuries are reported each year.

Practice these simple steps so you and your family can have a fighting chance, if the unthinkable happens.

Create an escape plan. Make sure there are two ways out from each room and a clear path to outside from each exit.
Make sure everyone in the home knows the plan.
Pick a family meeting place outside.
Once outside stay outside.
Practice the escape plan two times a year.
Have working smoke alarms inside and outside each sleeping area and on every level of your home.
Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
Make sure fire sprinklers work.

Little ones in the home as well as the elderly will need additional assistance during a fire emergency. Make plans to help them get out of the house. For more information, check out our multigenerational tool kit.

You can also find more fire safety tips and information in our fire safety information center.

Many deaths and injuries could be prevented simply by having working smoke alarms. You may be hearing from us on this issue. CPSC is conducting a nationwide survey to gather information about the functionality of smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in homes in the United States. Please participate in our survey if contacted!

So don't wait a minute longer, have a plan. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reminds us that every second counts in a fire and that can mean the difference between having a life end in tragedy and escaping safely.

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SOURCE U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission