October is Fire Safety Month

October is fire safety month. Most schools will be talking to our kids about what to do in case of a fire.  But how many of us really practice this at home? A recent survey by COX Homelife found that 63% of homeowners have an fire safety emergency evacuation plan and only 49% of those have practiced it in the past year.

Take some time in the coming weeks and put together an emergency evacuation plan and practiceit! Here are some additional tips to keep in mind:

• Having properly installed smoke alarms cut the chances of dying in a reported fire by half.  Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside every sleeping area and on every level of the home.  Consider purchasing one with an escape light built in as well.  Put a note on the calendar to test the smoke alarm on the first of every month.

• Keep fire extinguishers in various places around your home including the kitchen, garage, near the furnace and near any fireplace. Be sure you know how to use proper fire extinguisher for each situation.

• If you are using a portable space heater, be sure it has built-in safety features, such as automatic shutoffs, anti-tipping devices and heat guards.

• Purchase a 2-Story Emergency Fire Escape Ladder and keep it somewhere in or near your bedroom.

• Teach your children never to try and put out a fire themselves but to leave the house immediately and call 911 from a neighbor’s home.

• Take them to a fire department to see what a fire fighter looks like with the mask and all of his equipment on.  A child could be fearful of him and actually hide in a fire.