Ensure that all your family members know what to do in the event of a fire. Draw a floor plan with all the escape routes. The plan should include important details like stairs, hallways and windows that can be used as fire escape routes. Test windows and doors to ensure that they open easily. Make sure you have a safe fire escape method for all situations. Select a safe meeting place outside the house for your family members to assemble in case of an emergency. Practice alerting other members in your family.

Always keep a bell and flashlight in each bedroom. Always sleep with the bedroom doors closed. This will keep deadly heat and smoke out of bedrooms, giving you additional time to escape. Find a way for everyone to sound a family alarm like yelling, pounding on walls, whistling, etc. Practice yelling “FIRE, FIRE, FIRE”! fire, time is crticial. Don’t waste time getting dressed, don’ t search for pets or valuables. Just get out! During Don’t burn crackers in crowded, congested places, narrow lanes or inside the house. Don’t cover crackers with tin containers or glass bottles for extra sound effect.

Install smoke detectors to detect both smoldering and burning fires. Check smoke detectors once a month and change the batteries at least once year. Smoke detectors sense abnormal amounts of smoke or invisible combustion gases in the air. After a fire emergency, give first aid where appropriate. Seriously injured victims should be transported to professional medical help immediately. Always stay out of the damaged building. Return only when fire authorities say it is safe.

Keep portable heaters at least 3 feet from anything that may burn. Never leave heaters ON when you leave home or go to sleep. Children and pets should always be kept away from them. Never smoke in bed or when you are sleepy. Carelessly discarded cigarette/bidis are a leading cause of fire deaths. Keep cooking areas clear of combustibles and wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when you cook. Keep the hanldes of your pots turned inward. If grease catches fire, carefully slide a lid over the pan and smother the flames, then turn off the burner.

In the hands of a child, matches and lighters can be deadly! S ore them where kids can’t reach them, preferably in a locked area. Teach children that matches and lighters are “tools” and should only be used by adults. If an appliance smokes or has an unusual smell, unplug it immediately and have it repaired. Replace frayed or cracked electrical cords and don’t overload extension cords. They should not be run under rugs. Never tamper with the fuse box or use the improper size fuse. If someone gets burned, immediately place the wound under cool water for 10 to 15 minutes. If the burn blisters or chars, consult a doctor immediately! If you have halogen lights, make sure they are away from flammable drapes and low ceiling areas. Never leave them ON when you leave your home or office