In the United States, someone is fatally injured in a home fire roughly every 170 minutes. What you would do if
you suddenly were face to face with fire? In most cases the encounter will be in your own home.

Residential fires were responsible for nearly 85% of fire related deaths. Fires most frequently occur in the
kitchen (25%) followed by the bedroom (14%). If a small fire started on the stove would you be able to put
it out safely? Do you have a small inexpensive fire extinguisher in the kitchen and know how to use it? If it was
a large fire would you know what to do?

Planning ahead with your family is the most important part of fire safety and survival. If a fire breaks out
seconds count. Make an escape plan with two exits for each room. If your home has a second floor review how
to get out. A roll up safety ladder may be required (available at most hardware stores). Agree on a meeting
place so you can account for all family members.

Make sure you have working smoke detectors. Change the batteries at least twice a year and test the smoke
detector with aerosol test spray available at hardware stores. Your home should have at least one smoke
detector on each floor. They are the most inexpensive life saving device available.

If the smoke detector sounds, don't charge to the bedroom door and swing it open to see what is going on! Check
the door to see if it is warm. A hot door means a certain life threat on the other side. Use the window to escape.

If you're trapped in smoke, crawl under it. Smoke and toxic gases rise to the ceiling and build down towards the
floor. The coolest and freshest air is next to the floor. If you leave your home do not go back in! Conditions
change very quickly and re-entering a burning home usually ends in tragedy.

Now is the time to plan escape routes, check smoke detectors and replace detectors that are more than 10 years
old, check space heaters and furnaces, and have the wood stove flue pipe cleaned.

Find out what else you can do to keep your family safe by stopping by Littlerock Fire Rescue's Public Safety
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