The American Red Cross-Knoxville Area Chapter encourages
you and your family to read and use these tips to help
keep you safe and avoid home fires. For more information
on staying safe year-round, call your American Red Cross
at (865) 584-2999.
Make Your Home Fire
Safe
- Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm outside
each sleeping area and on each additional level of your
home.
- If people sleep with doors closed, install smoke alarms
inside sleeping areas, too.
- Use the test button to check each smoke alarm once
a month. When necessary, replace batteries immediately.
Replace all batteries at least once a year.
- Vacuum away cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms
monthly.
- Smoke alarms become less sensitive over time. Replace
your smoke alarms every ten years.
- Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers
in your home. Get training from the fire department
in how to use them.
- Consider installing an automatic fire sprinkler system
in your home.
Plan Your Escape
Routes
- Determine at least two ways to escape from every room
of your home.
- Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the
second or third floor. Learn how to use them and store
them near the window.
- Select a location outside your home where everyone
would meet after escaping.
- Practice your escape plan at least twice a year.
Escape Safely
- Once you are out, stay out! Call the fire department
from a neighbor's home.
- If you see smoke or fire in your first escape route,
use your second way out. If you must exit through smoke,
crawl low under the smoke to your exit.
- If you are escaping through a closed door, feel the
door before opening it. If it is warm, use your second
way out.
- If smoke, heat, or flames block your exit routes,
stay in the room with the door closed. Signal for help
using a bright-colored cloth at the window. If there
is a telephone in the room, call the fire department
and tell them where you are.
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