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Exit Drills In The Home (EDITH)
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To escape a house on fire; first maintain working smoke detectors in your home, and second; have a plan in which to escape your home in case of fire.
EDITH is very important along with having working smoke detectors. Once a smoke detector goes off in your home, members of your household along with yourself should react, by using your preplanned escape route to exit safely from a fire.
Use the following steps to develop your escape plan.
1. Plan your escape
2. Draw a simple floor plan of your home, showing two ways out of each room. When developing your fire escape plan, note where you might need an emergency escape ladder and where it is located. If you have a lock on your window, also make note if there are windows or doors that need a key to escape in the event of an emergency.
3. Ensure all household members understand the escape routes from the plan
4. Practice your escape plan at least twice a year with your household members and test your smoke detectors monthly while changing the batteries twice a year (A tip to remember is: change your clock, change your batteries)
5. Agree on a meeting place outside where everyone can meet after exiting the home (This will allow for a head count and allow the arriving fire fighters to gain information about possible missing members, and the fire inside)
Make sure routes are clear, and that the doors and windows on the route can be opened properly. Crawl while using your escape route; it is safer because heat and smoke rise in a fire.
If you have pets, place an emergency sticker near the front door so fire crews know to rescue your pets.
Post the Fire Exit Plan - Once you have completed your plan, keep a copy of the fire escape plan on the refrigerator or near the phone with emergency phone numbers.
Check the Smoke Alarms - The key to preparing is to make sure that you have everything in place before a fire happens. Double-check that smoke alarms are placed high on the wall or on the ceiling near bedrooms and on every level of the home. Test the batteries every month and again, remember to replace your batteries when you change your clock each Spring and Fall.
Keep a Fire Extinguisher in the Home - Although only a few states now require fire extinguishers in the home, it is highly recommended that you keep a Residential ABC Class fire extinguisher near the kitchen in an easily accessible location. (See additional section for tips on Fire Extenguishers)
File Important Papers in a Fire-Proof Safe - Finally, because you will need a place to go after the fire, always remember to place important documents and insurance papers inside a fireproof safe.
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