Welcome to the First Edition of the Live Safe blog. In this era of social connectivity, finding ways to communicate solutions often and with many different people and businesses is now a way of life – we are constantly emailing, texting, twittering, facebooking and now blogging. Creating a blog and an online conversation seemed to be the natural next step for Live Safe. Our blog will be a place where we can share some of what we have learned, as well as bring you information from our industry experts. Live Safe is pleased to share with you a terrific feature article by our friend, fan and guest author, Tina Robinette, (Senior Deputy Fire Marshal; Boiling Springs, SC) who we had the pleasure of meeting through Twitter.
Do you know how to LIVE SAFE?
One of the most important things to know is how to react to emergencies. Being in the Fire Service, I tend to lean toward Fire Emergencies and the importance of getting out. However, there are many other type of emergencies, today we are going to focus on Fire.
Many of us have grown up hearing the all too important words, GET OUT & STAY OUT when a fire emergency happens. One point eludes many when thinking this way. Do you know how to “GET OUT?”
Home Fire Drills are one of the best things you can do for yourself & your family. Creating a Fire Escape plan and practicing it often will help everyone if a fire emergency occurs in your home. Conducting regular fire drills will give you the knowledge and confidence to escape a fire safely. There are two steps for a good evacuation program – planning and practice.
Planning:
As part of your home fire escape plan, you should figure out two ways to escape from each part of your home. This is important because your most obvious exit may be blocked by the fire. Do you have a ladder to get out of second floor windows?
Making a drawing of your escape is helpful for all members of the family.
You should also have a plan for how each family member is going to get out. While older children and teens can likely be responsible for their own escape, younger kids, elderly family members and anyone with a disability may need help escaping.
Lastly, plan a place outside the home where everyone is supposed to meet once they get out.
The National Fire Protection Association (www.nfpa.org) offers detailed information on setting up a home fire escape plan for your family, including basic fire escape planning, tips for people living in apartment buildings, and how to make sure your kids are safe when they sleepover at a friend’s home.
Practice:
Now you have to practice your fire escape plan. In a real fire, with smoke, fire, alarms, it is very easy for family members, especially children, to get confused about how to get out. Regular home fire drills can help to make sure that everyone is prepared to escape a fire.
Hold fire drills at least 2 times a year. A good way to remember fire drills might be to have one every time someone in the family has a birthday.
Fire drills do not have to happen in the middle of the night or be a complete surprise in order to be effective. While a surprise drill may not be a bad idea once in a while, just having the drills is a good opportunity for everyone to practice what they know.
Have family members start the drill from their bed. Be sure they crawl low and feel doors before opening them. Go down stairways on your bottom.
By Planning & Practicing your Emergency Evacuation Drill, you will know how to Live Safe!
Source: Guest Author: Senior Deputy State Fire Marshal, Tina Robinette. Wife, mom to 3, friend to several and has a passion for the fire service. Tina promotes and teach fire and life safety. She is a fire prevention and life safety education specialist, Fire Investigator, Certified Fire Plans Examiner, Certified Fire Inspector I & II. Boiling Springs, South Carolina.
Tags: emergency, fire prevention, life safety
