Are you aware that you could have less than 2 minutes to escape a house fire?
Today’s homes burn faster than ever. You may have as little as 2 minutes or less to safely escape a home fire from the time a smoke alarm sounds. Your ability to get out of a home fire depends on early warning (a smoke alarm), advance planning (knowing two ways out), and knowing what to do if your escape routes are blocked or if you have a disability.
Close the Door!
A closed door in any residence, high rise apartment or condominium, can be an effective barrier against deadly levels of heat, smoke, flames, and carbon monoxide. There can be a 900-degree Fahrenheit temperature difference between a room with an open door and one with a closed door.
If you can’t get out:
- Close the door
- Cover vents and cracks around the door with cloth, clothes, towels, drapes or tape to keep smoke out
- Call 9-1-1 and say where you are located within the building
- Signal for help at the window with a flashlight or light-colored cloth
- Remain near the window for fresh air
Watch Sparky the Fire Dog explain the importance of knowing two ways out.