If a fire starts in your home, you could have as little as two minutes to escape. Below are tips to keeping you and your family safe! 

Smoke Alarms

• Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home, as well as bedrooms and other sleeping areas. 
• Test smoke alarms frequently, the American Red Cross recommends they be tested every month. 
• For those that are hard of hearing or deaf, there are special smoke alarms with strobe lights and bed shakers. 
• Replace batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors annually, regardless of if they passed their monthly inspection. 
• Replace smoke alarms that are 10 or more years old. 

Fire Escape Plan

A fire escape plan helps you and your family know the best ways to exit your home. Below are somethings to consider when creating your escape plan. 

• Plan two ways to escape each room. 
• Make sure all doors and windows can be easily opened. 
• If you live in a multi story building, always take the stairs - never the elevator. 
• Have an established outside meeting place away from the home. 
• Practice using the exit routes while keeping low to the ground and covering your mouth. 
• Close doors behind you while exiting. 
• Test door handles to see if they are hot before opening them. 
• Practice "stop, drop, and roll" if your clothes catch on fire. 
• Teach children to escape on their own and to not hide in the case of a fire. 

Fire Extinguisher

If you are not confident in using a fire extinguisher, exit the building and call 911. The American Red Cross urges everyone to ensure these things before using a fire extinguisher: 

• Everyone has left of is leaving the home
• 911 has been called
• The fire is small, not spreading, and that there is not much smoke 
• Your back is to an exit. 

Below is a video explaining how to properly use a fire extinguisher, how to make sure you have the correct type of fire extinguisher, and some safety measures to consider when using one.