In a typical home fire, you may have as little as a few minutes to escape once the smoke alarm sounds. Knowing how to use those minutes wisely can make a life-saving difference. If you don’t already have an evacuation plan in place, make one now and practice it regularly, involving all family members. The following suggestions will help get you started:

• Plan at least two different escape routes from each room in your home. Make sure every family member knows how to get out, where to go and what to do.
• In a fire, time is critical. Don’t spend it getting dressed or searching for sentimental objects or valuables.
• If the smoke alarm sounds, roll out of bed staying low to the ground. One breath of smoke or gas may be enough to kill.
• If a door feels warm, do not open it; escape through another door or window. As you exit, close all doors behind you to slow the spread of fire and smoke.
• Commit to memory the emergency number of the local fire department and display it near the telephones. But remember, if fire threatens your home, don’t call the fire department from inside your house. Get out and immediately place the call from a safe location outside your home.
• If an escape ladder is part of your evacuation plan, be sure everyone in the house knows how to use it.
• Select a location in front of your home where everyone agrees to meet if fire breaks out.