Fire escape plan

Sonoma County Fire Prevention Officers (FPOs)

SONOMA COUNTY, CA - According to the US Fire Administration, more than 3,500 Americans die each year in fires, and approximately 18,300 are injured. Deaths resulting from failed emergency escapes are particularly avoidable.  In an effort to prevent injuries and loss of life, Sonoma County FPOs want to raise awareness that having a fire escape plan and practicing exit drills have been proven to reduce the chance of panic and injury in fires.

MAKE A PLAN! - Pull together everyone in your household and make a plan! Walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes.  Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors. For easy planning, visit the Sonoma County Fire Prevention Officers  click HERE

PRACTICE ESCAPING FROM EVERY ROOM IN THE HOME - Practice escape plans every month. The best plans have two ways to get out of each room. If the primary way is blocked fire or smoke, you will need a second way out. A secondary route might be a window onto an adjacent roof or using a collapsible ladder for escape from upper story windows. Make sure that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly and that security bars can be properly opened. Also, practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or with your eyes closed.

IMMEDIATELY LEAVE THE HOME - When a fire occurs, do not waste any time saving property. Take the safest exit route, but if you must escape through smoke, remember to crawl low, under the smoke and keep your mouth covered. The smoke contains toxic gases which can disorient you or, at worst, overcome you.

NEVER OPEN DOORS THAT ARE HOT TO THE TOUCH - When you come to a closed door, use the back of your hand to feel the top of the door, the doorknob, and the crack between the door and door frame to make sure that fire is not on the other side. If it feels hot, use your secondary escape route. Even if the door feels cool, open it carefully. Brace your shoulder against the door and open it slowly. If heat and smoke come in, slam the door and make sure it is securely closed, then use your alternate escape route.

DESIGNATE A MEETING PLACE OUTSIDE AND TAKE ATTENDANCE - Designate a meeting location away from the home, but not necessarily across the street to make sure everyone is out safely and no one will be hurt looking for someone who is already out safe. Designate one person to go to a neighbor’s home to phone 9-1-1.

ONCE OUT, STAY OUT - Remember to escape first, then call 9-1-1. Never go back into a burning building for any reason. Teach children not to hide from firefighters. If someone is missing, tell the firefighters, they are equipped to perform rescues safely.

ALWAYS HAVE WORKING SMOKE ALARMS INSTALLED - Having working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home dramatically increases your chances of survival. Heat and smoke from fire can be more dangerous than the flames. Inhaling the super-hot air can sear your lungs. Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy. Instead of being awakened by a fire, you may fall into a deeper sleep. Asphyxiation is the leading cause of fire deaths, exceeding burns by a three-to-one ratio. An early warning increases your chances of survival. Smoke alarm batteries need to be tested every month and changed with new ones at least once a year. Also, consider replacing the entire smoke alarm every ten years, or as the manufacturer guidelines recommend.