EDITH

Exit Drills in the House

When a home fire strikes, it's too late to start developing a home fire escape plan. Every second counts. In less than 30 seconds, a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. And it only take minutes for a house to fill with thick black smoke and become engulfed in flames. More than half of home fire deaths occur between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., when most people are sleeping. Pre-school children and older adults over 65 years of age are twice as likely to die in a home fire than any other age group.

Escape plans help you get out of the home quickly and safely. Everyone in the home needs advanced preparation, so they can snap into action when the smoke alarm sounds. Develop a fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year.

It's not enough to have a smoke alarm. Protect your family by planning and practicing a home fire escape plan.

Fire Escape Plan

In 2010, there were an estimated 369,500 reported home structure fires and 2,640 associated civilian deaths in the United States. Fire can spread rapidly through your home, leaving you as little as two minutes to escape safely once the alarm sounds. Your ability to get out depends on advance warning from smoke alarms, and advance planning - a home fire escape plan that everyone in your family is familiar with and has practiced.

  • According to an NFPA survey, one of every five American households (23% have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan to ensure they could escape quickly and safely.
  • One third of surveyed Americans thought they would have at least six minutes before a fire in their home would become life-threatening. Experts agree the time is much less—perhaps as little as two minutes or less.
  • Only 8% said their first thought on hearing a smoke alarm would be to get out.

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