House Fires

Make a map of your home and include the following:

• Label every exit, including doors, windows and hallways.
• Label the primary and secondary exit (in case the primary exit is blocked by smoke or fire) from every room.
• Label every room a family member sleeps in.
• Label shut off valves for gas, water and electricity.

• Establish a safe meeting place outside the home. 
• Ensure each family member knows where to evacuate to. 
• No evacuation plan will work unless it is practiced on a regular basis. This is especially important with children.
• Practice finding shoes (you can always leave them near the bed) and a flashlight.
• Practice your evacuation plan at least four times a year. Make adjustments as necessary according to the ages of your family members.
• If you move, start over with a new map and evacuation plan.

REMEMBER SAFETY FIRST. Do not go back into the house to collect family heirlooms or to get your 72 hour kits. The ward will come to your aid with emergency aid.

A caution: Be wise in deciding to turn off the utilities. You may not have the time. On the other hand, if there is a small fire in the kitchen or garage and a family member can SAFELY shut off the utilities, doing so might mitigate the damage. Again, be careful in deciding when to do this.



Here are some ideas to help prevent a house fire:

• Remove any fire hazards-old newspaper and flammables in the garage.
• If possible, store flammables away from the house.
• Purchase the correct fire extinguishers and place them in appropriate locations around the house (kitchen, garage)
• Teach your children to call 911.