COMMUNITY
Be sure to read the E.D.I.T.H. brochure from the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control.
It is difficult to imagine planning for a fire emergency at home. However, taking the time to create and share a fire emergency plan will help ensure that everyone at home knows exactly what to do, should the time come to evacuate from a burning house or apartment. Developing a plan and then practicing it is exactly what EDITH is all about. EDITH really does save lives.
EDITH: KNOWING THE GOAL
The goal of EDITH is to create, share, and practice a plan that gives everyone safe paths to evacuate the home and immediately report to a common area to be accounted for.
EDITH: CREATING THE PLAN
Planning your path of escape means you'll have to create a plan for your family.
- Start by drawing a simple outline of your home or apartment and labeling each room, especially where people sleep.
- Your drawing should include important details like stairs, halls or roofs that may be used to escape.
- Be sure everyone has at least two ways to escape.
- Choose a place where your family will meet and mark it on the plan.
- Be sure your plan includes the proper use of smoke detectors in the home. They are a critical part of your home safety.
EDITH: REVIEWING THE PLAN
After you've created the plan, review it by walking through each planned path of exit. While doing that, consider the following:
- Do the windows open easily?
- Are the windows large enough or low enough for the person to escape?
- Can the children open it easily?
- Will an escape ladder be necessary?
- Is there anything (chairs, furniture, etc.) blocking an escape route?
EDITH: WORKING THE PLAN
Now it's time to work the plan you've created and do an actual drill. That's what Exit Drills In The Home is all about, practicing your plan. By doing the drills, you help to make an emergency escape something that becomes an instinctual response and NOT a panicked reaction.
Creating, sharing, and practicing your Exit Drills In The Home will give your family the best chance of escaping safely in a fire emergency.
Be sure to read the E.D.I.T.H. brochure from the New York State Office of Fire Prevention and Control.