E.D.I.T.H. can save your life!

Who is this E.D.I.T.H. that can save your life? This E.D.I.T.H. is

not a person, but a plan you make to escape from fire in your home.



E - escape,  D - drills,  I - in,  T - the,  H - home.



Fires in the home are the cause of many deaths. In fact, 70% of all fatalities by

fire occur in private residences. Most of these could have been prevented if the

families had a fire escape plan and if they would of practiced the plan!

In only three minutes your home could be totally involved in fire. Time is not

on your side. If a fire occurs in your home, every second counts. Members of your

family should react quickly and calmly. It only takes three minutes to loose

everything you have, including your children.

Design a plan

If you don't already have a plan for your family's emergency fire escape,

sit down with your family today and make one. Diagrams showing emergency

escape routes are a helpful visual aid for all family members. Included is

an example diagram, draw one for your home:



Note: At least two ways out of each room & a family meeting place

link to a piece of graph paper to print out


Plan for at least two escape routes, in the event fire blocks one of them.

Make sure children can work all the windows, doors and locks they may have

to use with an alternate escape route. If the alternate escape route is from

the second floor, be sure there is a safe way to the ground. If it's smoky,

get down, stay low and crawl fast. And, make sure everyone in your family

understands that they must not go back into your home, Not for anything.

Choose a meeting place



Very important, choose a meeting place outdoors where your family is to

meet for a head count. This way you can make sure everyone has exited

from the home safely. Never go back into your home!

Drill your escape plan

After checking the plan on paper, actually drill the entire plan. Have everyone

start in their bedroom, with the doors closed. One person should shout, ring a

bell, or push the smoke detector's test button to start the drill. Everyone should

then crawl under the "smoke" and meet out side at the meeting place.

Test smoke detectors

For your plan to work, your home must also be equipped with operating

smoke detectors. Testing your smoke detector(s) every month is an excellent

opportunity to use E.D.I.T.H.

Check the door

If your awakened by your smoke detectors, and you suspect a fire, do not

open the door until you've tested it. To test your door, use the back of your

hand. If the door is warm, use your alternate escape route.

If the door is cool, stay low, brace your shoulder against the door and open

it a crack. If smoke and heat come in, slam the door shut and use your

alternate escape route. Try to keep closed doors between you and the smoke.

Never try to hide from fire

Tell little kids to never hide if there's a fire... not in a closet or under a bed.

Tell them to wait by a window and signal with a bed sheet or flashlight.

Sit down with your family and make your E.D.I.T.H. plans now, then practice,

it may save your life (or the life of someone you love)!