According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in the year 2016 there were approximately 352,000 house fires in the U.S. In just two minutes a fire can become life-threatening to you and your family, and in just five minutes your home can be engulfed in flames. Protect your family and your home by being ready for a potential fire in your home, and knowing what to do during and after.
Be Ready for a Fire
- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.
- Test smoke alarms once a month and replace batteries once a year.
- Make sure all family members know what smoke alarms sound like.
- Make sure all family members know two ways to escape from the home. Practice these escape routes twice a year.
- Place collapsible ladders in rooms on the second and third floors.
- Have a family meeting spot outside of your home.
- Make sure every family member knows how to call 9-1-1, especially children.
- Teach family members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if clothes catch on fire.
- Keep digital copies of valuable documents and records.
What to do During a Fire
- Crawl low under smoke to get to your exit.
- Before opening a door, feel the door and doorknob. If they are hot, leave the door closed and escape via your second route.
- If you open a door, open it slowly. Close it quickly if heavy smoke or fire is present.
- If you can’t get to someone who needs help elsewhere in the home, leave the home and call 9-1-1.
- Do not go back inside for pets. Tell firefighters right away where your pet is located within the home.
- If you can’t get out, close the door and cover cracks around the door and vents with clothing, blankets, towels or tape to keep smoke out. Call 9-1-1 and signal for help at the window with a flashlight.
- STOP, DROP and ROLL if clothes catch on fire.
- If this isn’t possible, smother the flames with a blanket or towel.
After a Fire Strikes
- Contact your local disaster relief service, such as the Red Cross, if you need shelter, food and medicine.
- Contact your insurance company.
- Contact fire damage restoration companies.
- Check with the fire department to see if your home is safe to enter. Be careful of any structural damage.
- Conduct inventory of damaged property and items. Keep any damaged goods until inventory is complete.
- Do not attempt to reconnect any utilities yourself.
- Save receipts for any money spent related to fire loss. These may be needed later by the insurance company and to verify losses claimed on income tax.
- Notify your mortgage company.
- Locate valuable documents and records.
