Home Safety Action Plan

A home safety action plan is an essential tool for keeping your family, as it establishes what to do in case of an emergency. To protect your family in case of a fire in your home, create a fire safety action plan. This teaches your family what to do in a fire, and can help save lives.

ACTION #1

Make the first Saturday of each month “Smoke Alarm Saturday”! A working smoke alarm will clue you in that there is a fire and you need to escape. Fire moves fast. You and your family could have only minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds.

• Smoke alarms should be installed in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of the home, including the basement.

 • Test all of your smoke alarms by pushing the test button. If it makes a loud beep, beep, beep sound, you know it’s working. If there is no sound or the sound is low, it’s time to replace the battery. If the smoke alarm is older than 10 years old, you need to replace the whole unit.

• If your smoke alarm makes a “chirp,” that means it needs a new battery. Change the battery right away.

• Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the alarm and what to do when it sounds. (See ACTION #2.)

ACTION #2

Develop a home fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year! Having a home fire escape plan will make sure everyone knows what to do when the smoke alarm sounds so they can get out safely.

• Draw a map of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors.

• Children, older adults, and people with disabilities may need assistance to wake up and get out. Make sure they are part of the plan.

• Make sure all escape routes are clear and that doors and windows open easily.

• Pick an outside meeting place (something permanent like a neighbor’s house, a light post, mailbox, or stop sign) that is a safe distance in front of your home where everyone can meet.

• Everyone in the home should know the fire department’s emergency number and how to call once they are safely outside.

• Practice! Practice! Practice! Practice day and nighttime home fire drills. Share your home escape plans with overnight guests. REMEMBER: When You Hear a Beep, Get On Your Feet! Get out and stay out. Call 9-1-1 from your outside meeting place. Hear a Chirp, Make a Change! A chirping alarm needs attention. Replace the batteries or the entire alarm if it is older than 10 years old. If you don’t remember how old it is, replace it.