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Safety Tips
Fire Drills Save Lives

The American Red Cross reminds you that it’s especially important to practice a fire drill with your family and develop a home escape plan.

In a survey done by the National Fire Protection Association, only 16% of respondents with escape plans actually practiced them. If a fire breaks out in your home, you only have a few minutes to escape. Home fire escape planning and practice ensures that everyone in your home will know how to use that small window of opportunity effectively and get out alive. The following tips can help your family plan their escape:

Install your Warning System
  • Install one smoke alarm on each level of the home.
  • Install near each sleeping area.
  • Test the alarm monthly.
  • Change the batteries at least once a year.

Make a Plan
  • Map out a floor plan of your home - mark all windows and doors.
  • Locate two escape routes from each room: for example, the door is the first and the window is the second way out.
  • Make sure your home has large address numbers on the front so that the fire department can see and read the numbers easily.
  • Practice your drill at least twice a year.

Exits
  • If smoke or fire blocks your exit, use the second exit to escape.
    If you must escape through smoke, stay low and crawl under the smoke to safety. Smoke rises to the ceiling leaving cooler, cleaner air closest to the floor.

Escape
  • Make sure escape doors and windows can be easily opened from the inside. (Security bars must have quick-release devices on the inside.)
  • In a two-story home, plan your escape through a window onto an adjacent roof or porch.
  • If you must use an escape ladder, be sure everyone knows how to secure it on a windowsill. (Use the ladder only in an emergency, not in practice situations - descending down the ladder presents a risk of falling.)
  • If you live in a multi-level building, use the stairs, never the elevator, in case of fire.
  • If you are escaping through a closed door - feel the door, cracks and door-knobs with the back of your hand before opening the door.

If Exits are Blocked by Fire or Smoke
  • If you are unable to leave, close your door and cover all cracks where smoke could enter.
  • To cover cracks, use wet towels; duct tape, linens, clothing, etc.
  • If there is a phone in the building, call the fire department and tell them where you are - even if firefighters are already at the building.
  • Wait by the window for help.
  • Open the window for ventilation and hang a sheet outside the window so firefighters can find you.

Account for Everyone in the Building
  • Choose a meeting place outside, a safe distance from the front of your home and make sure our family knows where it is.
  • Pick a good place such as a tree, telephone pole or neighbor’s home.
  • In case of fire, everyone should gather at the meeting place.
  • Once you are out, stay out. Remember – Practice your home escape plan at least twice a year!

    Email the Red Cross for additional information on planning a fire escape route and other fire safety tips at info@kcredcross.org.
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American Red Cross
Greater Kansas City Chapter
211 W. Armour Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64111 USA		         Phone 816-931-8400
Fax 816-531-7306		 United Way Member Agency

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