Operation E.D.I.T.H.

Make an Escape Plan. Get all your family members together and make an escape plan for the entire family. When a fire occurs, there is no time for planning.

Know two (2) ways out. Draw a diagram of your home. Plan two ways out of every room, especially bedrooms.

Get out fast. If there is a fire or your smoke detector goes off, leave immediately. Don't try to take possessions or pets....just get out! Call the fire department from a neighbor's house using 911 or the appropriate number in your area.

Choose a meeting place. Your family should have one meeting place. When everybody gets out of the house, they should all meet at this pre-designated meeting place. A tree, mailbox or other stationary object is a good place.

Don't go back no matter what. Don't go back to retrieve valuables, pets or even other family members. Firefighters wear special equipment that give them the best chance of rescuing trapped persons. You can help by telling the firefighters where the people still inside may be.

Practice your plan. You should practice your escape plan at least twice a year. Remember that this is not a race, but you should leave as quickly as possible. Start your drill in the bedroom areas. Most fatal fires occur at night. Remember...you and your family should be sleeping with the doors closed and unlocked. This will give you added time once your detector sounds the alarm. If you are in bed, do not sit up or standup. Roll out of bed and to the floor.

Crawl under the smoke. The cleanest air in a fire situation is found close to the floor so practice crawling out of your house as you make your escape. If you encounter smoke, take your alternate escape route. Crawl quickly to the exit.

Test every door before opening: Before opening a door, make sure there is no fire on the other side. While staying on your hands and knees, reach up high on the door and use the back of your hand to see if the door and then the door knob is hot. If its hot...DON'T OPEN IT! If it's cool, open the door slowly and carefully. If smoke or heat rushes in, close the door immediately. As you leave, close all doors behind you.

If you are trapped. Close all the doors between you and the fire. Stuff the cracks around the door with towels or other clothing. Cover any vents where smoke may come in. Wait by a window with a flash light for help. Hang and/or wave white or light colored sheet